REAL ESTATE

Survival of the Fittest: How Niche Retailers Dominate
Despite claims that e-commerce will overtake traditional retail space, physical store locations are still attractive to retailers. In fact, they plan to open over 76,000 stores in the next 24 months, according to RBC Capital Markets data. And while several major retail closings have been announced this year, other retailers are stepping up expansion plans for new stores and concepts.

Growing retailers are all about the niche lifestyle — fast fashion, food, fitness and pharmacy — and focus on what consumers care about most, including value, quality, health and the environment.
DECISION POINT
Data drives efficient retail real estate decision-making

Making the right decisions with the right data is obviously something retailers strive to do in all areas of their business. However, when it comes to real estate, “getting it right” is even more critical.

Sears announces remaining stores in Primark deal

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Holdings Corp. announced the two remaining stores involved in its deal with European fashion retailer Primark. (In late 2014, Sears entered into lease agreements with Primark for seven standalone stores in the Northeastern United States.)

The two remaining stores will be located at Burlington Mall in Burlington, Massachusetts; and South Shore Plaza in Braintree, Massachusetts. Sears will continue to have a significant retail presence in both of these malls, which are owned and operated by Simon Property Group, Inc.
COMPANY PROFILES

The participating companies provide industry-leading solutions and services that aid retailers with the challenging task of navigating real estate. Specific areas where and these providers offer help include lease management, store growth and consolidation, portfolio management, strategic analytics.
A&G Realty Partners LLC
Melville, N.Y.
True Religion opens digitally enhanced flagship in Manhattan

Vernon, Calif. -- True Religion Apparel Inc. has opened its first global flagship, at 513 Broadway in downtown Manhattan. The 3,000-sq.-ft. space is the brand’s largest and most digitally-savvy store to date, starting with storefront windows that display a continuous stream of video content. The windows are also able to showcase style statements from shoppers themselves.

Inside the store, digital kiosks and iPads provide product-on-demand by offering the entire True Religion collection through an endless digital aisle.
New stores coming to Fremaux Town Center

Covington, La. - Stirling Properties and CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. are announcing 12 new tenants coming to Fremaux Town Center in Slidell, Louisiana. Anchored by a 128,000-sq.-ft. Dillard's, the second phase of this development will include approximately 285,000-sq.-ft. of additional retail space, including previously announced tenants Red Robin, Zales, Francesca’s and Aveda.

Construction is moving along as scheduled with a planned opening of Phase II in October 2015.
Roche Bros. opens Boston flagship

Wellesley, Mass. - Regional grocery chain has opened its flagship Downtown Crossing Boston supermarket in the newly restored Burnham Building. Roche Bros. is the first large-scale grocery store to be built in Boston's Downtown Crossing.
Foot Locker to reboot New York flagship

New York – Foot Locker Inc. is rebooting its New York flagship store. The sporting goods chain has signed a new retail lease with landlord Empire State Realty Trust Inc. (ESRT) to retain its flagship location on West 34th Street.
R.J. Brunelli named tenant rep for N.J. Dunkin’ Donuts franchisee

Old Bridge, N.J. - R.J. Brunelli & Co. LLC has been appointed exclusive tenant representative in Monmouth, Ocean and Middlesex counties in New Jersey by a major, multi-unit Dunkin’ Donuts franchisee for that area. The franchisee plans to open five locations per year in the three-county region.
Exclusive: FiveSouth Rising

By Steve Backman and Jeff Übl

In Bismarck, North Dakota, where a regional boom associated with the nearby Bakken Formation has made the state second only to Texas in terms of U.S. oil production, commercial development is on the rise. The missing piece of the puzzle for the city, however, has been the conspicuous absence of a defining downtown mixed-use destination: the kind of a social, civic, financial, and experiential cornerstone that gives residents and visitors somewhere to live, work, play and stay.