REAL ESTATE

GGP launches first-ever marketplace in San Francisco
San Francisco -- General Growth Properties announced the launch of the first-ever marketplace at Stonestown Galleria’s in San Francisco. The marketplace is a partnership with SFMade, a California 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation that promotes goods and services manufactured, designed and produced in the Bay Area.
A fresh new look for A&P
The Stop & Shop division of Ahold hopes to excite food shoppers in the New York area by bringing its brand of retail to 25 tired stores it acquired from A&P.

Stop & Shop completed its acquisition of the A&P stores on Oct. 8 and said it plans to convert the locations in groups of five with the entire process completed by Friday, Nov. 13. Store being converted will close for roughly seven days to allow crews to complete the process.

Saks to debut new store concept

Saks Fifth Avenue is expanding further into the specialty store business.

The retailer announced plans to open a 21,000-sq.-ft. store devoted to jewelry and contemporary women’s ready-to-wear in Greenwich, Connecticut. Earlier this year, Saks announced plans to open a standalone shoe store concept, 10022-Shoe, also in Greenwich.

Saks already operates a women’s-only store in Greenwich, which it opened in 1997.

All three of the Saks stores will be in walking distance of one another.
New supermarket retailer will have a busy Oct. 14

Fresh Thyme Farmers Market is upping its store count in the greater Chicago market.

The new specialty grocer will open three Chicagoland stores on Oct. 14, with one in the city, one in Crystal Lake and one in Naperville. The openings will give Fresh Thyme seven Chicagoland locations.

The chain, which offers organic products at value prices, recently opened a central support hub in Downers Grove, Illinois.
Ross Dress for Less opens new Virginia store Oct. 10

Ross Dress for Less will open a new store in Dulles Landing, Virginia on Oct. 10.

The 25,000-sq.-ft. store is located in the Dulles Landing Shopping Center, adjacent to the Washington-Dulles International Airport.

The opening is part of the retailer’s 2015 expansion program, totaling approximately 70 new locations during the year.
Global retailer slowing down U.S. expansion

Did Japanese retailer Uniqlo miscalculate its appeal to American shoppers?

The company, a division of Fast Retailing, is moving into the slow lane with regards to its U.S. expansion. Uniqlo now plans to open only five U.S. locations in its current fiscal year, which began on September 1, 2015, after opening 17 in its most recently completed year.

Uniqlo, which has more than 1,600 stores worldwide, operates 43 stores across the United States.
DreamWorks interactive Santa adventure reimages the holiday retail experience

Chattanooga, Tenn. -- CBL & Associates Properties and DreamWorks Animation are ringing in the holiday with the ultimate Santa experience at Oak Park Mall in Overland Park, Kansas City.
New Restoration Hardware store format combines retail with hospitality

Restoration Hardware’s (RH) new store in Chicago features its signature blend of upscale home furnishings amid an opulent backdrop but adds a new twist: dining.

The company’s new RH Gallery, located in the 101-year-old Three Arts Club building on the city’s Gold Coast, marks the brand’s initial foray into hospitality with a restaurant by famed Chicago restaurateur Brendan Sodikoff.
Ross Dress for Less opens new North Carolina store Oct. 10

Ross Dress for Less will open a new store in Elizabeth City, North Carolina on Oct. 10. The 18,000-sq.-ft.store is located in Tanglewood Pavilions.

The opening is part of the retailer’s 2015 expansion program, totaling approximately 70 new locations during the year.
Painting with a Twist rides new trend

The “paint ‘n’ sip” phenomenon, whereby friends, neighbors, and colleagues come together to paint, drink and relax, is showing up signs of slowing down and that’s good news for a Louisiana-based company.

Painting with a Twist, which bills itself as the original and largest paint-and-sip franchise, has opened more than one new location each week this year, and is on track to reach its goal of 100 new locations in 2015.