REAL ESTATE

CBL says investigation clears it of wrongdoing
A Securities Exchange Commission investigation into some loans applied for by CBL & Associates is unfounded, the company maintained in announcing the results of an independent investigation.
CBRE makes two key Midwest hires
Two long-tenured retail real estate veterans have joined CBRE Group’s retail services teams in key Ohio markets. New to CBRE’s Cincinnati office is Melissa Ruther, whose 15-year career has included stints in both leasing and tenant representation at Anchor Associates, Edge Real Estate Group, and most recently JLL. A CBRE press release made note of her strong relationships with retailers, developers, and the brokerage community.

Grocery retailer to expand in new markets

Sprouts Farmers Market is on the move.
Macy’s Q2 tops Street; still working to optimize real estate

Macy’s Inc. on Thursday posted second quarter results that topped analysts’ expectations. But with a steep drop in profit and sales still on the decline, the department giant said it will close 100 stores. It also gave an update on its real estate strategy.
Danish discounter growing its U.S. store base

Flying Tiger Copenhagen is expanding its footprint in the United States. Known for its quirky, fun and ever-changing assortment of Danish-designed goods, the discounter is set to open on New York City's Upper West Side on Aug. 13. The 2,000-sq.-ft. store will be the brand's fourth location in the New York area.
Macy’s in big store closing move

Macy’s Inc. announced that it will close 100 full-line namesake stores as part of a wider effort to improve its business and succeed in an omnichannel environment. The move comes after six straight quarters of declining same-store sales. The department store giant said it plans to concentrate its resources on the best-performing locations, and to invest in those stores by adding new vendor shops, increasing the size and quality of staff and new technology.
Opening date set for center 10 years in the making

It’s official: The long-awaited Westfield World Trade Center in downtown Manhattan is finally ready to open its doors. Likely to become of the city’s most visited retail destinations, the shopping center will celebrate its grand opening on Aug. 16. With 365,000 sq. ft. of retail space, it will feature more than 100 global and local fashion, beauty, lifestyle and technology brands.
PizzaRev makes move into New England

PizzaRev, the build-your-own pizza shop that has a franchising partnership with Buffalo Wild Wings, made its first foray into New England this week with the opening of a store in CambridgeSide Galleria in Boston. Since joining forces with Buffalo Wild Wings in 2013, the fast-casual concept has expanded to more than 200 franchise locations. Its coverage had touched nearly all regions of the U.S. except for New England.
Expanding Canadian menswear start-up makes U.S. debut

Surmesur, a custom menswear retailer, has dropped anchor in the United States. Surmesur, which blends traditional tailoring methods with technological innovation, recently opened its seventh store to date, and first in the United States, in Pittsburgh. It’s the first of several new stores the company plans to open in the coming months, including one in Chicago and other major centers both in the U.S. and in Canada.
Dunkin’ Donuts to open 17 new stores in Atlanta

Three current franchisee groups will introduce a total of 17 new Dunkin’ Donuts shops to the Atlanta area following deals signed with Dunkin’ Brands. Four of the units will be co-branded with Baskin-Robbins.