REAL ESTATE

London -- Tesco CEO Philip Clarke announced Wednesday that the British supermarket retailer will likely sell or close its entire U.S. presence, which means that 199 Fresh & Easy stores could be shuttered or sold off.

According to multiple reports, Tesco is close to making the decision after five unprofitable years in the U.S. The retailer launched the concept in 2007, confident there was a niche for a grocery store with fresh food offerings formatted in a unique footprint that was smaller than a typical supermarket but larger than a c-store.

Philadelphia -- Metro Commercial Real Estate said that David’s Bridal will open an 8,164-sq.-ft. store at Great Northeast Plaza, located in the northeastern part of Philadelphia.

The new store is slated to open by spring 2013.

Boston -- DJM Realty announced that Josh Podell has joined the company as a specialty retail and outlet consultant.

Podell, who will continue to operate his own real estate consultancy Podell Real Estate Advisors, counts among his retail experience a lengthy stint as VP real estate for Jones Retail Corp., a division of Jones Apparel Group.

Redlands, Calif. -- Esri announced Wednesday that the Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Co. has licensed Esri GIS technology and data to provide localized shopping trends data toward supporting the grocer’s commitment to growing its market presence across the Northeast.

Chicago -- Store opening plans for 2013 are at a four-year high even as positive retail trends tempered with uncertain fiscal policies signal a cautious start to the new year, according to a report released Monday by Jones Lang LaSalle.

According to Jones Lang LaSalle’s 2013 National Retail Real Estate Outlook, retailers will open as many as 78,325 stores in the next two years – up 11% from year-end plans in 2011. Construction will add 52 million sq. ft. of space in 2013, more than double the 20 million sq. ft. completed in 2012.

New York -- Applebee’s will open New York City’s first LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Gold certified restaurant on Monday, Dec. 10.

Richardson, Texas -- Chain restaurant Wingstop announced Tuesday it has executed a master development deal that will facilitate about 50 unit openings in Russia, the first opening in Moscow.

The chicken wing purveyor -- with more than 530 locations throughout the U.S. and Mexico -- signed a master development agreement with Baxtor Limited for 50 Wingstop restaurants to be opened throughout Russia over the next 10 years.

The first location is expected to open in Moscow by the end of 2013.

Broomfield, Colo. -- Mrs. Fields Cookies said Tuesday it will open a new location at Arista Place, located in Broomfield, Colo.

The flagship store, which is slated to launch construction this month, will feature a new store design and branding. It is expected to open in March 2013.

The new design, said the company, will incorporate more soft seating and a retail area for ordering cookie gifts online. The corporate location will also serve as the company’s training university for new franchisees.