REAL ESTATE

Seattle -- Nordstrom plans to open a full-line store in Minnetonka, Minn., at Ridgedale Center, which is owned by General Growth Properties.

The store will be approximately 138,000 sq. ft. and will open in fall 2015. It will be Nordstrom's second full-line store in Minnesota.

New York -- Polaroid has announced plans to launch a new experiential retail concept called Polaroid Fotobar, opening at least 10 locations in 2013. The stores are designed to allow consumers to take the images from their digital devices and easily turn them into museum-quality art. Polaroid Fotobar envisions the stores becoming a recreational and entertainment destination in addition to a place to shop.

At a time of year when much of the retail news we hear focuses on receipts and holiday sales performance, I can’t help thinking that the notion of value has become synonymous with price — and only price. You can make the argument that price has nearly hijacked the whole definition of value. Why is that, exactly? Should retailers be paying closer and more systematic attention to how they articulate (and how customers perceive) the value of their brand?

CHESAPEAKE, Va. -- Dollar Tree has announced that it intends to expand its distribution center in Marietta, Oak., by an additional 400,000 sq. ft. More than 100 full time positions will be created as a result of the expansion.

The facility in Marietta opened in 2003 and is currently 603,000 sq. ft. This facility supplies products to stores across eleven states, including all of Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico and Texas, and portions of Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming and Montana.

Atlanta -- CBL & Associates Properties and Horizon Group Properties announced that their jointly owned Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta will open one month earlier than previously announced – or on July 18, 2013.

Located in the North Atlanta suburb of Woodstock, Ga., the 370,000-sq.-ft. initial phase of the center will feature such designer outlet names as Nike, Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH, Bose, Brooks Brothers, Columbia Sportswear, Cole Haan, White House|Black Market, Guess, Fossil, Michael Kors, Under Armour, and Talbots.  

Chicago -- The value and luxury classes of retail will supply the most construction opportunities in 2013, according to a forecast by Englewood Construction. The Lemont, Ill.-based commercial builder also predicted an uptick in restaurant development and a squeeze on middle-market retail.

The Woodlands, Texas -- Conn’s announced the opening of three Conn’s HomePlus stores in El Paso and Fort Worth, Texas, and Tucson, Arizona.

The new Conn’s HomePlus store format showcases furniture and mattresses in addition to the leading brands and the latest technologies in consumer electronics and home appliances.

Los Angeles -- Urban Partners announced that real estate veteran John Gunn has rejoined the company as managing director.

The company also announced that Del Morais has been promoted to VP finance, and will direct the finance, accounting and tax departments at both Urban Partners and Harbor Urban.

Resuming his former leadership role, Gunn will be responsible for the planning and development of mixed-use, public/private, and transit-oriented developments in urban locations throughout California.