Topeka, Kan. — Overland Park, Kan.-based Darland Construction Co. has completed the conversion of a former Kmart store in Topeka, Kan., into Wanamaker Hills Shopping Center. The 108,546-square-foot retail property is now home to Ulta, Old Navy, DSW, Five Below and Petco. Equity Investment Group (EIG), a Fort Wayne, Ind.-based developer, bought the property in 2014 and worked with Darland Construction to renovate the structure, secured permits for signage and landscaping and negotiated leases. Schwerdt Design Group was the project architect. Ulta Beauty, Petco and Five Below are already open. …
retailers
Irving, Texas — The Michaels Companies, Inc. has named Ashley Buchanan, an experienced retail executive from Walmart, as its new president and chief executive officer designate and appointed to the company’s board of directors, effective January 6, 2020. He will succeed Mark Cosby as CEO upon completion of a transition period ending April 1, 2020. Cosby will continue to serve as CEO until April 1 and will remain a member of the board of directors following the CEO transition. As part of the leadership transition, after more than 5 years …
Chattanooga, Tenn. — CBL Properties has made significant year-end progress on its strategy to transform its properties through redevelopment and the addition of new uses. In 2019, CBL completed a dozen projects totaling approximately 650,000 square feet, with an additional five projects totaling approximately 490,000 square feet currently under construction. Each redevelopment plan is unique and customized based on market demand. Strategies range from repurposing expansive parking fields to add new uses such as hotels, restaurants and self‑storage facilities to backfilling anchor vacancies with exciting concepts that resonate with today’s …
Union, N.J. — Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. is undergoing an extensive restructure of its leadership team, including the departure of six senior members. The moves reflect the priorities of Bed Bath & Beyond’s new president and CEO, Mark Tritton, who will launch his new vision for the company in early 2020. The new team will be charged with streamlining decision-making, accelerating the pace of transformation and reestablishing Bed Bath & Beyond’s authority in the home space through a more customer focused, omnichannel retail operation, a redefined product assortment and …
East Rutherford, N.J. — IT’SUGAR, known for its over-the-top sweets, giant candy and absurdly wonderful sugar creations, will open on December 14, 2019 at American Dream, a 3 million-square-foot entertainment/shopping/dining destination under development in East Rutherford, N.J. At three stories and over 22,000 square feet, IT’SUGAR American Dream will be the world’s first department store of candy. The one-of-a-kind IT’SUGAR store will greet visitors with a three-story tall Statue of Liberty replica covered in over 1.5 million Jelly Belly beans, symbolizing the freedom to treat yourself. Once inside, customers can …
Cincinnati — Phillips Edison & Company (PECO), an internally-managed real estate investment trust (REIT) and one of the nation’s largest owners and operators of grocery-anchored shopping centers, has released its insights on the top shopping center trends to watch in 2020 as part of ICSC’s New York Deal Making event. As experience continues to drive success, retailers are finding new and innovative ways to make it more fun to shop in-store. Moreover, the increasing demand for custom experiences is leading to a rise in the number of boutique specialty concepts …
Cincinnati — Macy’s, Inc. has announced that Hal Lawton, president of the Macy’s brand business, has resigned, effective December 6, 2019. He joined Macy’s as president in September 2017. “Hal has made significant contributions to the business over the past 2 years, including improving the Macy’s operational cadence. Hal also helped us build an excellent team and, with their leadership, I’m confident that Macy’s will continue strong execution through holiday 2019 and beyond,” says Jeff Gennette, chairman and chief executive officer of Macy’s, Inc. Macy’s, Inc. operates approximately 680 department …
Bradenton, Fla. — Bradenton, Fla.-based retailer Beall’s, Inc. has named Robert Matthews Beall III (Matt) as its next chief executive officer. He is the fourth in a succession of leaders from the Beall family that have guided the company for more than 100 years. Matt Beall is the great-grandson of Robert Matthews Beall, Sr., who founded the company in 1915. Egbert “ER” Beall, Matt’s grandfather, joined his dad in the business in 1940. After starting out as a store manager in 1970, Matt’s father, Robert M. Beall II (Bob), led …
Philadelphia — Unique Photo, New Jersey’s largest retail camera superstore and center for photography education, has opened its new superstore in the historic Old City District of Philadelphia. The new 9,600-square-foot location opened on November 29, 2019. Located at 28 South St., the superstore features four floors of retail space, a multi-media learning center, professional photo lab and studio space, along with all of the extensive photography services and educational programs that have made Unique Photo one of the leading photographic retailers and distributors in the United States. Additionally, the …
Cincinnati — The Yankee Candle Company Inc. unveiled a new store concept at its retail location within the Natick Mall outside of Boston on Black Friday. Designed by award-winning retail design firm FRCH NELSON, the new concept puts fragrance first and emphasizes who Yankee Candle is today, and what it wants to share with its customers. The space features a new merchandising strategy and an upgraded personalization station, complete with sensorial experiences, allowing customers to curate their own scent collection and enjoy a more immersive experience into the world of …