REAL ESTATE

Asana Partners names managing director for merchandising and leasing
Charlotte, N.C. -- Asana Partners announced Robin Hilliard has joined the company as managing director, responsible for merchandising and leasing.
Teen apparel retailer files for bankruptcy
In a not unexpected move, beleaguered teen apparel retailer Pacific Sunwear of California Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy court protection.

In a court filing on Thursday in Delaware, the Anaheim, California-based retailer listed assets in the range of $50 million to $100 million and liabilities of between $100 million and $500 million. It listed Simon Property Group and Nike Inc. among its top creditors. The chain named RCS Real Estate Advisors, New York, as its real estate advisor.

Report: Another sporting goods retailer eyeing Chapter 11

The sporting goods industry could be facing another major retail bankruptcy filing.

Vestis Retail Group, parent company of Eastern Mountain Sports, Sport Chalet and Bob’s Stores is preparing to file for Chapter 11 protection, according to Bloomberg.

Vestis Retail Group, which is owned by private equity firm Versa Capital Management LLC, could file as soon as next week, the report said.
Starbucks to go really, really big in New York City

Starbucks will open its largest location in the world, a 20,000-sq.-ft. store, in one of Manhattan’s trendiest areas.

The coffee giant is bringing its new Roastery store format to the Meatpacking District, opening at 61 Ninth Ave., a new nine-story building that is currently under development. The building is close to Chelsea Market.
Department store giant continues to expand outlet store formats

Macy’s announced it will open a new Bloomingdale's Outlet store in November 2016 at The Outlets at Orange, in Orange, California.

The 24,000-sq.-ft. store will be the 17th Bloomingdale's Outlet location and offer a range of off-price apparel and accessories for men, women and children.
Ulta Beauty adds new Chicago office

Ulta Beauty plans to open an amenity-filled satellite office at desirable downtown Chicago location to complement its existing headquarters facility in a remote suburb.
Inland Real Estate is now IRC Retail Centers

Inland Real Estate Corporation has changed its name to IRC Retail Centers Inc.

The company unveiled a new brand identity in line with its name change, which coincides with the acquisition of Inland by funds managed by DRA Advisors LLC. The updated identity includes a new logo, tagline and updated website.
Kroger will deliver the goods in more places

The Kroger Co. is reportedly planning to expand its ClickList click-and-collect service to the Lone Star State in summer 2016. According to the Cincinnati Business Journal, Kroger will offer ClickList, which lets customers order groceries in advance and pick up them up at a predetermined time at a local store, at select stores in the Houston and Dallas markets. Those markets contain a total of 214 stores, including some in Louisiana, but the retailer intends to offer ClickList at about 20 stores in each metro area.
Chipotle considers opening a burger chain

Chipotle Mexican Grill is thinking about getting into the burger business.

The fast-casual giant, which is still struggling to recover financially from food-safety problems that surfaced last summer, filed a trademark application for "Better Burger" as part of a business diversification move to open a burger restaurant chain.
Now Trending: Apparel Confusion

“Now Trending” is an exclusive online series to chainstoreage.com, featuring trending topics that impact the retail real estate landscape.

For retail analysts and consumers alike, what’s going on in the apparel sector is fascinating and, in fact, confounding. While the root causes may not seem exactly crystal clear, the implications will be clear and unambiguous.