REAL ESTATE

JLL makes key hires to expand SoCal retail efforts
Photo: Erik Westedt, left, and Scott Kaplan have joined JLL’s growing Southern California team.
Now Trending: Changing the Channels
One of the most important trends to track these days is that of online retailers making the jump to brick-and-mortar. The different strategies and tactics they have taken, and the new and different ways that retailers are adapting to the realities of an omnichannel world, can not only reveal some fascinating truths about retail today — but also provide some insights into where the retail industry might be heading in the future.

Top lawyer joins RPAI

Retail Properties of America named Paula Maggio to the role of executive VP, general counsel and secretary, effective May 2.

Maggio joins Retail Properties of America following a 16 year career with Strategic Hotels & Resorts where she most recently served as executive VP, general counsel and secretary. Prior to that she practiced law with Altheimer & Gray, where she focused primarily on real estate and hospitality law.
GNC to sell 84 corporate-owned stores to a franchise powerhouse

One of the nation’s largest franchisees will soon also be operating GNC stores.

Moving ahead with its plan to reduce its corporate-owned store footprint, GNC announced plans to sell 84 company-owned locations to Dallas-based Sun Holdings for about $17 million. The retailer revealed the sale amid disappointing first quarter results.
Seven Retail Brands Ready for Prime Time

For all their differences, the shopping center owners and brokers from around the world who will gather at the end of May in Las Vegas for retail real estate’s annual RECon confab are alike in they will all be on the lookout for new retail concepts to entice shoppers.

The good news is that are plenty of brands ready to spread their wings. Some have been around for a couple of years, but are now flush with new financing. But many are formerly pure players that are now turning their attention to physical stores.
Brixmor builds senior leadership team

May 20 is shaping up as a momentous day at Brixmor Property Group with newly appointed CFO Angela Aman slated to begin work the same day as recently appointed CEO Jim Taylor.

Aman’s appointment as CFO was announced in conjunction with the release of Brixmor’s first quarter financial results on April 26 and follows the April 12 announcement that James Taylor had joined the company as CEO.
Wing concept taking flight with Buxton site solution

East Coast Wings & Grill’s ambitious growth plans are poised to benefit from a data-driven approach to site selection made possible by the Buxton Analytics Platform.

The casual dining chain currently has 31 locations and has signed agreements to add 80 new restaurants across the country within the next five years. To ensure those restaurants are in the optimal locations, East Coast Wings & Grill partnered with customer analytics firm Buxton.
Analysis: Should retailers rent or bye?

While generally steady post-recessionary economic performance has led to an extended period of retail growth, retailers and retail real estate professionals around the country have begun openly wondering about just how high rental rates can continue to climb. In the last few years, occupancy costs are up significantly virtually across the board; most dramatically in dense urban locations in larger markets.
Retail Real Estate Insights. For Retailers. By Retailers.

It is appropriate that Salt Lake City, Utah — a place that has been called “America’s Climbing City” — is home to an experiential retail concept that aims to be nothing less than America’s climbing gym: Momentum Indoor Climbing.
Flooring retailer increases growth outlook

After reporting a 13.2% first quarter same store sales increase, The Tile Shop boosted its full year profit forecast and said it would open between 9 and 12 stores this year.

With 116 stores in 31 states, The Tile Shop has benefitted from the same home improvement tailwinds as Home Depot and Lowe¹s, except its 21,000 square foot showroom style stores are focused exclusively on flooring.