REAL ESTATE

Beachwood, Ohio -- DDR Corp. announced a strategic agreement with MobileBits Holdings Corp., provider of SAMY, a mobile marketing and engagement platform, to acquire DDR's proprietary location-based mobile marketing solution ValuText.

MobileBits will integrate the ValuText product into the SAMY solution and will make the solution available to DDR tenants and shopping centers. SAMY is an innovative 'mobile mall' application that allows shoppers to gain instant access to the latest discounts, coupons and loyalty cards, via their mobile devices.

Slidell, La. -- Dillard’s will anchor the fashion-oriented Phase II of Fremaux Town Center in Slidell, La., according to co-developers CBL & Associates Properties, based in Chattanooga, Tenn., and Stirling Properties out of Covington, La. Phase I of the project is currently under construction with approximately 330,000 sq. ft. anchored by Kohl’s, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Michael’s, T.J. Maxx, and Best Buy. Phase II will include up to 320,000 sq. ft. of additional retail space.

Tokyo -- Starbucks Coffee Company’s CEO Howard Schultz on Friday celebrated the opening of the new Starbucks Meguro store in Tokyo. The store, whose experience was inspired by the traditional Japanese ‘Ichi-go ichi-e’ service spirit (literal translation: one time, one meeting), is located is the same building as the new Starbucks Coffee Japan Support Center.
 

New York -- Officials in Baton Rouge have approved more than $7 million in incentives to bring a Costco store to the Louisiana city, the Associated Press reported.  
   
Costco is expected to open a 150,000-sq-ft. store by next April at the site of a former Coca-Cola bottling facility, the report said.

Dayton, Ohio -- Golfsmith International, is opening a store Beavercreek, Ohio, with an grand opening celebration on May 10-May 12.

The new 20,845-sq.-ft. store features a dominant selection of the best brands in golf and the ultimate 'try before you buy' interactive environment. The store has three high-tech golf simulators and an expansive indoor putting green that enable customers to experience the latest equipment.

Chestnut Hill, Mass. -- WS Development announced that it will develop an outlet center in Cheshire, Conn. WS Development will introduce leading fashion and designer outlet stores to the 500,000 -sq.-ft. project, which is expected to open in summer 2015.

This open-air shopping, dining and entertainment complex will also include public open space, walkways, recreation amenities, a residential component and full service grocer.

Editor's Note: Chain Store Age's 24th annual survey of Fastest-Growing Managers measures new domestic and international third-party management and leasing contracts obtained during the preceding calendar year (2012).

Last year's numbers were such that we couldn't limit our annual Fastest-Growing third-party managers listing to a top five; a sixth was added because the contract totals were that close.

Real estate solution and service providers aid retail real estate strategies

Real estate is a complex issue no matter what industry you’re in. For retailers, who typically operate on slim margins and are generally the first industry to feel the effects of variations in consumer spending, navigating the tricky waters of real estate can be especially challenging.