REAL ESTATE

Specialty retailer expands its global footprint
Charming Charlie opened its first location in the Philippines, at Bonifacio High Street Central Square.

The location showcases the brand’s newest retail store concept, and features signature double doors in vibrant pink lacquer and a residential-style interior that mixes feminine, mid-century accents with luxe materials and whimsical details.

In the Philippines, Charming Charlie is exclusively distributed by Stores Specialists, a member of SSI Group, Inc., which has further growth planned for the brand in Cebu and Manila next year.
Din Tai Fung to open in Downtown Seattle
Seattle -- Madison Marquette announced that Din Tai Fung will open at Pacific Place located in downtown Seattle, in the summer of 2016. With only six U.S. restaurants, Din Tai Fung will be located in a 9,216 sq. ft. space on level four of the shopping center.

Din Tai Fung currently operates more than 100 locations worldwide with branches in Japan, the United States, South Korea, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia, Thailand and most recently in Dubai.

Largest U.S. furniture retailer celebrates milestone store — with 100 more on tap

Photo: (left to right) Thu Xuan, Thuy Nga, Duong Quoc Nam, Shari Wagner, Kevin Wagner, Minh Hua, and Robin Lim (PRNewsFoto/Ashley Furniture Industries, In)
eBay teams with Westfield to sell unwanted holiday gifts

eBay has come up with a clever solution to help Americans solve a common dilemma: what to do about unwanted holiday gifts.

The online marketplace retailer will operate pop-up selling stations in three select Westfield shopping centers across the country during “Boxing Weekend” from Dec. 26 (Boxing Day) to Dec. 27. The stations will be located at Westfield San Francisco Centre, San Francisco; Westfield Garden State Plaza, Paramus, New Jersey; and Westfield Hawthorn Center, Vernon Hills, Illinois.
Dick's Sporting Goods to backfill former J.C. Penney space at Cumberland Mall

Vineland, N.J. -- PREIT announced its plans to open a Dick's Sporting Goods at Cumberland Mall in Vineland, New Jersey. The sports and fitness retailer will occupy the former J.C. Penney Department Store space in a 50,000 sq. ft. location.

“This transaction demonstrates PREIT's continued success in replacing anchors with in-demand retailers,” states Joseph F. Coradino, CEO for PREIT "The addition of Dick's Sporting Goods will improve the merchandise mix and solidify the tenant roster at Cumberland Mall.”
A&P bankruptcy pushes central New Jersey retail vacancy rate up

The demise of The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. elevated the retail vacancy rate along central New Jersey’s major shopping corridors to 8.8% from 7.5% in 2014.

That’s according to the latest study by R.J. Brunelli & Co. Despite the uptick, the region’s 2015 vacancy factor remained a healthy distance from the 10.2% recorded in 2013 and the eight-year high of 10.5% set in 2011, but was well above the period’s low point of 4.8% posted in 2008.
Old Kmart becomes new Cub format

Supervalu’s Cub Foods division reimagined a former Kmart location in central Minnesota for a new format featuring a massive liquor store.
Iconic Fifth Avenue women’s store to create greater sales space

One of New York City’s most iconic luxury apparel stores is getting bigger.

Bergdorf Goodman will relocate its executive offices and other non-sales related functions to 4 West 58th Street, adjacent to its iconic Fifth Avenue location. The move will create an additional 25,000 sq. ft. of retail space in the retailer’s flagship, including the entire 8th and 9th floors.
X Team partner The Chambers Group launches new website

Charlotte, N.C. -- The Chambers Group, an X Team International partner, announced it has launched a new website. The revamped website emphasizes The Chambers Group’s local market knowledge, and provides an interactive property listing map that displays properties for sale, for lease and available land.
HomeGoods finds a home at Millcreek Mall Complex

Youngstown, Ohio -- Cafaro Company announced off-price home fashion retailer HomeGoods is the latest addition to the Millcreek Mall Complex located in Youngstown, Ohio. This new 25,000 sq. ft. store will open its doors in the summer of 2016 in the Millcreek Pavilion section of the complex, next to Michael’s.