Store Expansion News: December update
Retailers and restaurants alike made headlines in December with store expansions and new formats.
Here are the major stories as reported by CSA, starting with the most recent.
- PizzaExpress plans U.S. debut U.K.-based pizza chain PizzaExpress, which operates nearly 360 locations, is set to debut in the United States next year. Through a deal with franchise group Purple Square, the pizza chain plans to open its first U.S. restaurants in Florida, with the debut locations currently in the site selection process.
- Camp to open “Bluey Experience” at The Galleria The family-friendly, experiential retailer will open a 7,500-sq.-ft. store in February at The Galleria in Houston, which is the largest mall in Texas. Part toy store, part party venue and part immersive theater space, Camp will make its Houston debut with an immersive adventure called Bluey x Camp, created in collaboration with BBC Studios and Ludo Studio.
- Real Essentials opens first retail store Real Essentials, a top-selling brand on Amazon, made its brick-and-mortar debut on Dec. 15 at Sawgrass Mills Mall in Sunrise, Fla. The e-commerce brand, founded in 2017, offers men’s, women’s and kid’s clothing at low price points.
- TJX to expand with Big V property group TJX Cos. is expanding its presence at open-air shopping centers through a new partnership. The company and Big V Property Group have completed six new leases to bring the off-price giant’s banners to new mall locations in Texas, Virginia and Tennessee.
- The Fresh Market adds to Massachusetts store count The Fresh Market opened two more stores in Massachusetts on Dec. 11 to close out 2024. At the new locations in Mansfield and Framingham, shoppers can find fresh, local and organic products along with curated ready-to-eat meals.
- Qdoba opens first standalone AZ stores The fast-casual Mexican chain opened two new restaurants in Arizona in December: one in Phoenix and one in Scottsdale. The new locations mark Qdoba’s first standalone restaurants in the state.
- Primark opens first Texas store The global value fashion retailer has opened a 37,000-sq.-ft. store at La Plaza in McAllen, Texas, its first in the state. Primark said it plans to open five more in the Lone Star State in the coming months.
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- Skims opens NYC flagship The $4 billion shapewear brand co-founded by reality TV superstar and entrepreneur Kim Kardashian has made its long-awaited brick-and-mortar debut in New York City. Skims has opened a 6,570-sq.-ft., four-level flagship near Rockefeller Center, at 647 Fifth Avenue near 52nd Street.
- Academy details 2025 store openings After opening a total of 16 new locations in fiscal 2024, the sporting goods retailer plans to open 20 to 25 stores in 2025. Academy said its expansion will continue to be “measured in its approach and timing given the recent consumer backdrop.”
- Golf lifestyle brand Malbon opens three new stores The Los Angeles-based golf lifestyle brand has opened three new stores, with locations on West Randolph Avenue in Chicago, the Georgetown section of Washington, DC, and Greenway Parkway in Scottsdale, Ariz. The brand is planning to open even more locations in 2025, co-founder Erica Malbon told Chain Store Age.
- Tractor Supply to open 90 stores in 2025 The nation’s largest rural lifestyle retailer has increased its long-term store count goal to 3,200 locations, up from its previously announced target of 3,000. Tractor Supply expects to open 90 new namesake stores in 2025, along with approximately 10 new Petsense by Tractor Supply stores.
- Dollar General to remodel thousands, open 575 new stores The discount giant is planning a major increase in planned real estate projects for fiscal 2025, which includes opening approximately 575 new stores in the U.S. and up to 15 new stores in Mexico. Dollar General also plans to fully remodel approximately 2,000 stores as well as partially remodel approximately 2,250 stores through Project Elevate, in addition to relocating approximately 45 stores.
- 7-Eleven plans slate of new Phoenix stores The convenience giant has opened three new locations in Arizona, with two more slated to open in early 2025. The five new stores are 7-Eleven’s first in The Grand Canyon State in 25 years.
