Forever 21 Set to Open First Wave of New Stores

Santa Monica, Calif. As many over-stored retailers continue to purge locations, Forever 21 plans to open 11 stores in former Mervyns locations owned by Macerich by the end of March.

Shopping center developer Macerich purchased 39 Mervyns sites in December 2007, and two more locations in the first quarter of 2008. During an auction in December 2008, Forever 21 and Kohl’s won a joint bid to take over these sites.

The first of Forever 21’s Macerich-owned stores, which opens Thursday, will be in The Mall of Victor Valley, in Victorville, Calif. In March, Forever 21 will open five more stores on Macerich mall properties across California, Utah and Arizona.

The remaining six stores that Forever 21 plans to open during this first wave will be in shopping centers across Texas, Arizona and California. These will not be in Macerich-owned properties.

"Our business is primed to execute significant growth this year in these large-format spaces," said Christopher Lee, senior VP, Forever 21.

The chain plans to open more stores throughout the year, according to a company statement.