REAL ESTATE

Online giant to open machine learning hub in Barcelona
Amazon is stepping up its commitment to machine learning. The online giant plans to open a new research and development (R&D) hub in Barcelona, dedicated to machine learning. Amazon expects to open the lab in early 2018, according to The Verge. Amazon plans to hire more than 100 engineers and scientists for the lab.
Fast-casual concept has big ambitions
A start-up that specializes in melted-sandwiches made from high-quality ingredients is looking to go nationwide. Melt Shop hopes to grow to 100 locations during the next five years across the U.S. and internationally via franchising, The brand, founded in 2011 in New York, currently operates six corporate-owned locations in New York, one at Mall of America, Bloomington, Minn., and one in King of Prussia, Pa. It recently expanded into the Middle East and will open seven locations in the region, with four opening in Kuwait by March 2018.

Report: The cities that line up with Amazon's headquarters criteria are...

It didn't take long for cities across North America to throw their hat in the ring when Amazon announced it had initiated a search for a city in which to build a second headquarters. In seeking proposals, Amazon laid out some very definite criteria, including population requirements (one million or more). CNBC examined the criteria and suggested that five cities are worthy of a close look by Amazon: New York, Atlanta, Chicago, San Francisco and Boston.
Amazon on hunt for location to build a second North American headquarters

The search is on for Amazon. The e-commerce giant is currently evaluating where it will open its second company headquarters in North America. The new office, referred to as "HQ2," will be a complete headquarters — not a satellite office. It also could have a similar layout to Amazon's Seattle campus, which employs 40,000 people, and encompasses 8.1 million sq. ft. with 33 buildings, including 24 restaurants.
Largest U.S. hockey retailer launches store rebranding

Pure Hockey is converting its various store banners to its namesake brand. The company, which owns the Pure Hockey, Total Hockey, and HockeyGiant brands, will begin rebranding all of its retail stores as Pure Hockey. Pure Hockey acquired HockeyGiant in September 2015 and acquired Total Hockey in August 2016, giving the company a total of 53 retail locations across the United States, along with four e-commerce sites specializing in hockey, goalie, and lacrosse equipment.
First Look: Amazon Books, Manhattan

Eleven and counting. That's where Amazon Books stands with the opening of its newest outpost.
Gap Inc. shifting focus—and store footprint—to two brands

Gap Inc. is shifting its emphasis to its two best-performing brands — and realigning its store portfolio to reflect its new emphasis.
Sporting goods retailer in new store openings

It's going to be a busy September for Dick's Sporting Goods. The retailer will open eight namesake stores and two new Field & Stream stores in the first half of September, including three locations in California. The openings will give the company 711 Dick's locations and 34 Field & Stream locations across the country.
Enter the Daily Needs Mall

You’ve read the news: More and more spending is moving online and retailers that have not been able to adapt are falling by the wayside. E-commerce accounted for 8.9% of all retail spending in early 2017 and has nearly tripled its share of overall retail spending since 2008.
Report: Alibaba to open a physical mall in China

An e-commerce giant is making a big push into the brick-and-mortar world. Alibaba, China’s largest online sales platform, is building its own shopping mall, with a goal of enriching the real-world shopping experience with technology and convenience, reported MarketWatch.