REAL ESTATE

North Plainfield, N.J. -- Levin Management Corp. said Tuesday that Michael Cohen has joined the company as VP leasing.

Cohen was previously executive VP and director of leasing for DLC Management Corp.

New York City -- According to Chain Store Age columnist Jeff Green’s latest editorial, one of the most noteworthy trends of this holiday season was the robust performance of independent retailers.

What could this mean for retail real estate? Click here to read more.

New York City -- Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market, the U.S. division of Tesco, plans to close 12 underperforming stores, according to the Orange County Register. The company, however, left open the door to re-opening the stores at a later date.

Atlanta -- Jones Lang LaSalle said it has been named as the exclusive management and leasing provider for Townline Square, a 216,000-sq.-ft. community center located in Mundelein, Ill., and anchored by Jewel-Osco.

JLL’s retail portfolio in Chicagoland has grown to more than six million sq. ft. At Townline Square, Jones Lang LaSalle will manage a redevelopment of the property, which includes façade renovations, new landscaping and signage upgrades all of which are designed to increase tenant occupancy and drive sales.

New York City -- Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services said Monday it has hired Joseph C. French Jr. to serve as a senior director of its National Retail Group. French was previously with Sperry Van Ness, where he specialized in retail property sales.

Marcus & Millichap also hired French’s team of investment specialists Thomas C. Dalzell, Schuyler Boylan and Amie Segel.
 

New York City -- Shopping centers in the United States had their first net gain in occupied space in four years amid a rise in consumer confidence and job growth, according real estate research firm Reis Inc., Bloomberg reported.

Neighborhood and community shopping shoppers saw a net increase of 3.18 million sq. ft. in the fourth quarter, the most since 10.1 million sq. ft. in the last three months of 2007.

Columbus, Ohio -- DSW Inc. said Tuesday it will open between 35 and 40 stores in 2012, up from an initial plan of 15 to 20 new stores this year.

The footwear and accessories retailer also raised its annual earnings guidance.

“The expansion of our footprint into new and existing markets is a key growth initiative for us,” said Mike MacDonald, president and CEO, DSW Inc.

The majority of the new stores are slated to open in the second half of 2012, according to the company.

Cincinnati -- Brixmor Property Group said Monday that a 4,267-sq.-ft. Carter's recently opened at Western Hills Plaza, located in Cincinnati.

Brixmor, headquartered in New York City, is the owner of Western Hills Plaza.