REAL ESTATE

North Plainfield, N.J. — Retail leasing activity remained strong through the spring and summer months of 2013, according to Levin Management, which reports more than 295,000 sq. ft. of renewals and transactions from Easter through Labor Day. The company’s portfolio includes 90 properties totaling 12.5 million sq. ft. of space in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and North Carolina.

Dallas — Savills, a global real estate services provider listed on the London Stock Exchange, has announced the formation of a strategic alliance with SRS Real Estate Partners — the largest real estate firm exclusively dedicated to servicing retail clients in the U.S.

The alliance will act as a bridge between U.S. and U.K. markets and provide Savills’ and SRS’s retail clients access to expert advise about growing internationally

Jacksonville, Fla. -- Stein Mart is expanding its presence this fall with four new stores and two relocated stores. The new stores are located in El Paso, Texas; Buford (Atlanta), Ga.; Elk Grove (Sacramento), Calif.; and Watchung, N.J.

Pleasanton, Calif. — Ross Dress for Less opened 24 new locations last Friday, on Oct. 11. The openings complete the retailer’s 2013 expansion plan to open 65 new locations this year.

The new store openings bring the total of Ross stores to 1,154. Four of the new Ross stores opened in Illinois, three in Missouri and one in Indiana, as the retailer continues its growth in new markets it has entered over the past two years.

Atlanta - The Home Depot has selected National Tenant Network to assist property owners, managers and investors on its new Pro Xtra site. Home Depot's Pro Xtra will enhance existing Pro Desk programs, as well as add new benefits for members.

Pleasanton, Calif. — Dd’s Discounts recently opened nine new locations across five states as part of the retailer’s 2013 expansion program totaling 23 new locations.

The retailer now operates 131 locations in eight states. The new stores are located in California (4), Texas (2), Arizona (1), Florida (1) and Tennessee (1).

Dallas and New Orleans — The Howard Hughes Corp. has announced the tenant lineup for the redevelopment of Riverwalk Marketplace in New Orleans. The $70 million renovation is transforming the aging mall into The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk, the nation’s first downtown outlet center.

According to Hughes Corp., virtually all of the space in the new Riverwalk has been committed, and well-known national outlet retailers and popular local retail, dining and entertainment offerings hold 94% of the leases.

New York -- Chico's FAS is expanding outside of the United States, opening a White House Black Market store at Yorkdale Shopping Centre, Toronto on Oct. 24. The women's apparel retailer will open its second Canadian location at Square One, Mississauga on Oct. 29, followed by Upper Canada Mall, Newmarket on November 12.

Yorkdale Shopping Centre and Square One are owned by Oxford Properties Group and Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo).Upper Canada Mall is owned by Oxford Properties Group and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB).