REAL ESTATE

Wheeler appoints new member to its board of directors
Virginia, Beach, Va. -- Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust announced it has appointed John McAuliffe to the company's board of directors, effective Dec. 2. McAuliffe returns to the company's board of directors after having previously served from November 2012 until April 2013. McAuliffe has over 36 years' experience in the financial services industry. In April 2013, he resigned from the company's board of directors to focus his efforts on investment banking with Newbridge Securities Corporation.
Report: Some Apple stores going more upscale
Angela Ahrendts, senior VP of retail for Apple and former CEO of Burberry, is taking a more luxe approach in some of the company’s retail stores. “The stores are the best physical manifestation of the brand,” Jan Dawson, an analyst at Jackdaw Research, told the New York Times. “Angela is bringing her sensibility to that experience.” [New York Times]

PGA Tour Superstore continues expansion

PGA Tour Superstore in 2016 will open its fourth store in the state of Arizona, in Tucson. Additional 2016 openings are to be announced.

The retailer will open a 25,000-sq.-ft. store at the Tucson Fiesta Shopping Center. The store will have multiple state-of-the-art swing simulators, practice hitting bays, a large putting green and an in-house club making and repair facility to provide a unique, interactive experience to golf enthusiasts of all levels.
Retail real estate deal making in full swing at New York show

ICSC’s 2015 New York National Conference & Deal Making show is on track to set an attendance record, with approximately 10,000 dealmakers estimated at the event, outstripping the previous peak of 9,600 attendees set in 2014 and spurring the event’s planners to explore options for adding space in future years.
Report: Needy areas still lack grocery stores, despite retailers’ pledges

Walmart is the only chain retailer to fully meet a goal it made related to an initiative of opening stores in “food deserts,” the Associated Press reported. [Associated Press]
ICSC: Mall shopping a big part of the omnichannel experience

While mobile technology has changed the way people shop, consumers — including the most tech-savvy — still do the vast majority of their shopping in shopping centers.

At least that’s according to a new survey by the International Council of Shopping Centers, which found that 83% of U.S. consumers visit a shopping center at least once a week, including 92% of 18 to 24 year olds. Overall, the young consumers visit shopping centers on average 10.8 times a week.
Video: Check out Primark ’s massive Madrid flagship
Simon center and Neiman Marcus team up on ‘fantasy gifts’ displays

Roosevelt Field in Garden City, New York, is offering shoppers an up-close look at some unusual and pricey holiday gift suggestions.

The center, owned by Simon, has teamed up with Neiman Marcus for the first ever Neiman Marcus' 2015 Fantasy Gifts public installation.
Shoppers Drug Mart elevating beauty with new in-store concept

Shoppers Drug Mart unveiled its new beauty department concept, called beautyBoutique, at the Rideau Centre in Ottawa.

The 4,000 sq.-ft. department features new fixtures, digital signage, enhanced fragrance and skin care areas and provides customers with a differentiated retail environment complemented by a wide assortment of prestigious brands. Featuring 16 prestige brands, it is the sixth Shoppers Drug Mart location in Canada to offer customers an elevated prestige beauty experience and the first in Ottawa.
New shopping, dining options to debut at The Mall of San Juan

San Juan, Puerto Rico -- Taubman announced eight new shopping and dining options will debut at The Mall of San Juan located in San Juan, Puerto Rico, before the end of 2015, seven of which are exclusive to the market. Additional more than 20 stores and restaurants are scheduled to open in 2016.

“We’re bringing a taste of New York, Tuscany and Florence to the island with the addition of three new dining experiences,” said Marnie Marquina, marketing and sponsorship director for The Mall of San Juan.