News

Cross-border expansion is on the rise and an extensive new study from JLL identifies the top 50 major cities worldwide that offer the top growth prospects.

London stands at the forefront of international retailing as a global retail powerhouse, and as the number one market in the world.

That’s one of the findings of a new study from JLL, which identifies the top 50 major cities worldwide that offer the top growth prospects for retailers’ expansion plans. Hong Kong follows London in the rankings, with Paris, Dubai and New York City rounding out the top five. (A list of the top 25 markets is at the end of article.)

Pre-leasing has begun on a $100 million mixed-use complex developed by Forest City Realty Trust that offers retailers an interesting opportunity to serve the bustling Chinatown area of Los Angeles.

The project, named Blossom Plaza, will feature 237 apartments and 19,000-sq.-ft. of commercial space on a two acre tract at the intersection of Broadway and College Street. Leasing the space on behalf of Forest City will be JLL VP Lorena Tomb and associate Danielle Cornwell.

Billabong is deploying an in-store sound and scent strategy to offer customers a more immersive experience.

The board sports apparel retailer tapped Mood Media to create a custom sound and scent strategy for select Billabong stores in France and Spain. Billabong wanted to reflect the “board culture” and values of the brand — youth, dynamism and fun.

Mood renews the strategy every two months to ensure it is kept original and that Billabong’s customers have a unique experience on each visit to its stores.

Online shoppers in the United States spent $92 billion on apparel, footwear and accessories in 2015.

That’s according to a new report, by global technology research and advisory company Technavio.

Starbucks Corp. has been busy expanding its mobile ordering and payment services, and now needs to ensure the right support personnel are in place.

According to the Puget Sound Business Journal, the retailer plans to add 100 employees of all experience levels and skillsets to its technology team, which currently has about 1,000 workers.

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The J.C. Penney Co. Inc. is teaming up with a well-known social network to help draw traffic and sales at select mall-based locations.

According to Advertising Age, Penney will display digital Pinterest boards in 10 malls around the country as part of a Mothers’ Day promotion. The boards will display apparel, hair and beauty products that are available in nearby Penney stores at the mall. The promotion will also include featured in-person appearances by well-known fashion bloggers.

Shopper center operators have a new ally in their efforts to drive traffic called Cowboys Saloon: American Bar & Grill.

Cowboys is a new food and entertainment concept billed as a destination restaurant and country-western venue that is looking to grow rapidly the next few years. Founded six years ago, Cowboys is on a growth trajectory to operate more than 20 locations by 2018, up from the seven locations that will be open by year end.