REAL ESTATE

Framingham, Mass. -- Staples has revealed plans to shrink its overall store footprint and grow its break rooms as a means to lower costs and increase sales productivity.

In a presentation to analysts at a Jefferies & Co. conference in New York City on Wednesday, Staples U.S. president Demos Pareros said new stores will be about 15,500 sq. ft. to 16,000 sq. ft., down from the current prototype of 18,000 sq. ft. and the 2000 prototype of 24,000 sq. ft.

Austin -- Whole Foods Market co-CEO Walter Robb told investors at a Jefferies Global Consumer Conference that the now-300-store chain is expected to grow to 1,000 stores in the United States.

The organic grocer sees opportunity in Canada as well, and Robb said it expects to grow its store count there from six to 35.

Minneapolis -- Elaborating on previously announced plans to downsize its brick-and-mortar footprint, Best Buy CEO Brian Dunn said this week that the electronics retailer is launching plans to wall off parts of its big-box stores and sublease the space to smaller retailers, such as grocers, beauty supply stores, home furnishing outlets and others.

Kansas City, Kan. -- Legends Outlets Kansas City said Wednesday that the region’s first Chico’s Outlet and Soma Intimates Outlet will open on June 24 at the Kansas City outlet shopping destination.

The Chico's Outlet's new store will be located between BCBG MaxAzria and Five Guys Burgers & Fries, and the Soma Intimates Outlet's new store will be located between Gymboree and Claire's.

Milwaukee -- A Wednesday report by the Milwaukee Business Report said that the Village of Greendale (Wis.) has approved a Walmart and garnered one of several approvals needed for a Macy's at the village’s board meeting held Tuesday.

The board approved rezoning, a special use permit and other plans needed for a 92,000-sq.-ft. Walmart slated to include a pharmacy and grocery with two out-lots for future developments.

In the June 9 edition of SiteTalk, we referenced a survey that found Fifth Avenue in Manhattan to be the most expensive place in the world to operate a store -- and asked you if it was worth the expense. Here is what one reader had to say.

New York City -- Discount grocer Aldi has made its U.S. mall debut, opening in Westfield Chicago Ridge, an 800,000-sq.-ft. enclosed shopping center in Chicago Ridge, Ill. The mall is a property of The Westfield Group.

The 20,000-sq.-ft. store offers the same prices and products as other Aldi stores, and also features the retailer’s current interior prototype elements. The store is entered through the mall entrances.

Brandon, Fla. -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said it has leased restaurant space in Brandon, Fla., at Bloomingdale Square to Chipotle Mexican Grill.

Chipotle has leased 2,650 sq. ft., bringing the center to 96% leased. The tenant is slated to open for business in fall 2011.

The 267,736-sq.-ft. shopping center is anchored by a Walmart, Bealls and Publix Super Market alongside national retailers such as Dollar Tree, Hallmark, RadioShack and Bank of America.