Content about Americas

May 7, 2013

Getting Physical: Online Retailers Move Offline

Go offline, young man: That appears to be the mantra of e-commerce merchants these days.

As competition in the world of online retailing heats up — with Amazon's ever-burgeoning dominance posing the biggest threat — more pure-players are taking the brick-and-mortar plunge. It's a reminder, many experts say, of the strong appeal of the in-store experience — even when stacked up against the convenience of online shopping.

May 7, 2013

Growing On All Fronts

Editor's Note: Chain Store Age's 24th annual survey of Fastest-Growing Managers measures new domestic and international third-party management and leasing contracts obtained during the preceding calendar year (2012).

Last year's numbers were such that we couldn't limit our annual Fastest-Growing third-party managers listing to a top five; a sixth was added because the contract totals were that close.

April 25, 2013

Starbucks’ Q2 profit tops estimates

Starbucks Coffee Company reported that its second-quarter profit rose 26% to $390.4 million, up from $309.9 million last year, amid sales increases in the Americas and Asia regions.

Seattle -- Starbucks Coffee Company reported that its second-quarter profit rose 26% to $390.4 million, up from $309.9 million last year, amid sales increases in the Americas and Asia regions.

Total net revenue for the quarter ended March 31, 2013, rose 11% to $3.56 billion, not quite the $3.58 billion Wall Street expected. Global same-store store sales grew 6%, driven by a 4% increase in traffic and a 2% increase in average ticket, marking the 13th consecutive quarter of global comp growth greater than 5%.

March 27, 2013

Great American Cookies to expand in Puerto Rico

Global Franchise Group said it is expanding its Puerto Rican presence via a multi-unit operator.

Atlanta -- Global Franchise Group said Wednesday it is expanding its Puerto Rican presence via a multi-unit operator.

A.M.A. Pretzels International opened two Great American Cookies stores in Puerto Rico -- in Plaza Carolina in Carolina, and Plaza Rio Hondo in Bayamon.

"Global Franchise Group is thrilled to have such outstanding multi-unit franchisees expand the Great American Cookies brand in Puerto Rico," said Global Franchise Group chief development officer John Barber.

March 15, 2013

The Spark Behind Sephora

HEADQUARTERS San Francisco

TYPE OF BUSINESS Beauty and fragrance retailer

NUMBER OF STORES 1,600 global locations, including 325 stores in North America and 386 in-store shops in J.C. Penney

Beauty and cosmetics retailer Sephora is ignited not only by its highly trained cast of associates and smart, forward-thinking approach to in-store digital, but also by the man behind the black, white and red store design.

January 24, 2013

Starbucks profit up 12%; 1,300 stores on tap for 2013

Starbucks Corp. said its profit rose in its first quarter as customers spent more at its stores in the United States and Asia.

Seattle -- Starbucks Corp. said its profit rose in its first quarter as customers spent more at its stores in the United States and Asia.

Starbucks earned $432.2 million in the quarter ended December 30, 2012, compared with $382.1 million in the year-ago period.

Revenue rose 11% to $3.8 billion, slightly below expectations.

The company reported that global same-store sales rose 6%. In Europe, the metric fell 1%. Americas’ comparable store sales grew 7%. Same-store sales in the China/Asia Pacific region grew 11%.

January 16, 2013

DDR expands Puerto Rico redevelopment program

DDR Corp. announced that it has expanded its redevelopment program in Puerto Rico from $50 million to $90 million.

Beachwood, Ohio -- DDR Corp. announced Tuesday that it has expanded its redevelopment program in Puerto Rico from $50 million to $90 million.

"Increased demand for quality retail space in this supply-constrained market has created unique value-add opportunities in many of our most productive assets," said Paul Freddo, senior EVP leasing and development, DDR. "By executing our strategic redevelopment plan, we are creating attractive opportunities for our key domestic tenants to establish or expand their presence on the island."

December 6, 2012

Starbucks to open 1,500 new stores in U.S. by 2017

Starbucks Coffee Co. announced accelerated global growth plans that include opening at least 1,500 stores in the United States during the next five years.

New York -- Starbucks Coffee Co. is moving ahead full-steam. The company on Wednesday announced accelerated global growth plans that include opening at least 1,500 stores in the United States during the next five years. Including Canada and South America in the mix, Starbucks expects to add a total of 3,000 new locations in its Americas region — and renovate thousands more — by 2017.

November 5, 2012

Burlington Coat Factory taps LogicSource for sourcing services

LogicSource, a sourcing solutions firm, has entered into a multi-year agreement to provide advisory services and technologies to Burlington Coat Factory, which operates more than 477 stores in 44 states and Puerto Rico.

Norwalk, Conn. -- LogicSource, a sourcing solutions firm, has entered into a multi-year agreement to provide advisory services and technologies to Burlington Coat Factory, which operates more than 477 stores in 44 states and Puerto Rico.

October 30, 2012

Claire's to make retail debuts in Venezuela and Panama

Chicago -- Claire's Stores Inc. said Tuesday that it has opened its first stores in Venezuela and Panama; the Venezuelan store opened on Oct. 12 in Sambil Paraguna Mall in Punto Fijo and the Panama store opened Oct. 27 at Metro Mall.

Claire's has partnered with locally headquartered Grupo David Enterprises as the single franchisee across 16 countries in Latin America. Over time, Claire's said it expects these countries to present a minimum 100 stores market opportunity.

October 10, 2012

New mixed-use project to deliver retail near major ballpark

Grosvenor Americas and Skanska USA Commercial Development have announced plans for a mixed-use project of more than 650,000 sq. ft. directly north of the new Washington Nationals ballpark in the Capitol Riverfront district of Washington, DC.

Washington, D.C. -- Grosvenor Americas and Skanska USA Commercial Development have announced plans for a mixed-use project of more than 650,000 sq. ft. directly north of the new Washington Nationals ballpark in the Capitol Riverfront district of Washington, DC.

July 26, 2012

CBRE announces executive appointments

CBRE Group said it has named Cal Frese as CEO of the company’s Americas business.

Los Angeles -- CBRE Group said it has named Cal Frese as CEO of the company’s Americas business. In this role, Frese has responsibility for leading CBRE’s largest business segment, with more than $3 billion of annual revenue and more than 20,000 employees.

April 16, 2012

All About Strategy

Editor’s Note: Chain Store Age’s 23rd annual survey of Fastest-Growing Managers measures new domestic and international third-party management and leasing contracts obtained during the preceding calendar year (2011).

Now more than ever, retail real estate is not a business to be conducted without forethought. The days of gut instincts and seat-of-the-pants decisions have been replaced by the need to plan far ahead to guarantee a company’s continued growth.

January 9, 2012

Sephora deploys Agilysis and RedIron mobile POS solution

Agilysys announced that beauty retailer Sephora Americas has successfully deployed NextPosition by Agilysys and RedIron's 2Mobile software to enhance customer service in a large number of its U.S.-based stores.

Cleveland -- Agilysys announced that beauty retailer Sephora Americas has successfully deployed NextPosition by Agilysys and RedIron's 2Mobile software to enhance customer service in a large number of its U.S.-based stores.

December 16, 2011

CBRE announces promotion

CBRE said that Michael F. Smith has been promoted to president of the company’s Western Division. Smith, who has led CBRE’s San Francisco Bay area operations since 2002, succeeds Steven Swerdlow, who has been appointed COO of the Americas.

Los Angeles -- CBRE said Friday that Michael F. Smith has been promoted to president of the company’s Western Division. Smith, who has led CBRE’s San Francisco Bay area operations since 2002, succeeds Steven Swerdlow, who has been appointed COO of the Americas.

In his new role, Smith will direct CBRE’s operations in more than 46 offices in nine states, with responsibility for all lines of business. He will continue in his role as Bay Area market leader until a successor is named.

November 29, 2011

Tiffany Q3 profit jumps 63%, lowers Q4 outlook

Tiffany & Co. reported that profit for the quarter ended Oct. 31 surged 63% to $89.7 million, compared with $55.1 million in the year-ago period.

New York City -- Tiffany & Co. reported Tuesday that profit for the quarter ended Oct. 31 surged 63% to $89.7 million, compared with $55.1 million in the year-ago period. Strong global sales propelled the strong performance, but the jeweler cautioned that fourth quarter earnings, which include the key holiday selling season, could fall below expectations.

Revenue rose 21% to $821.8 million from $681.7 million a year ago, handily beating Wall Street’s expected $801.8 million in revenue.

November 11, 2011

Icebreaker to open in mixed-use building near Union Square

Grosvenor Americas said that its mixed-use building at 180 Post Street just off San Francisco’s Union Square will soon be home to Icebreaker, which will sell its exclusive line of merino wool adventure apparel in a new 1,500-sq.-ft. store.

San Francisco -- Grosvenor Americas said that its mixed-use building at 180 Post Street just off San Francisco’s Union Square will soon be home to Icebreaker, which will sell its exclusive line of merino wool adventure apparel in a new 1,500-sq.-ft. store.

The new store is slated to open on Nov. 21, and by March 2012 the New Zealand- based retailer will complete the store’s conversion to a “TouchLab” that enables customers to touch raw merino fibers.

September 27, 2011

Grosvenor Americas names development exec

Grosvenor Americas said it has appointed Steve O’Connell to the position of development manager in the company’s San Francisco headquarters office.

San Francisco -- Grosvenor Americas said it has appointed Steve O’Connell to the position of development manager in the company’s San Francisco headquarters office.

O’Connell will oversee the development process from property identification and purchase through design, entitlement, construction, leasing, and stabilization. He was previously with Swinerton Builders in San Francisco as a construction project manager on large urban mixed-use projects.

September 7, 2011

Grosvenor Americas makes executive appointments

Grosvenor Americas said Wednesday it has appointed Jonathan E. Carr to the position of development manager in the company’s Washington, D.C., office.

Washington, D.C. -- Grosvenor Americas said Wednesday it has appointed Jonathan E. Carr to the position of development manager in the company’s Washington, D.C., office. He previously held the same title in Grosvenor Americas’ San Francisco office.

The company also announced that Michael Ward has been appointed to the position of VP in the company’s Calgary office. He previously served as VP for Grosvenor Americas in Washington, D.C.

September 6, 2011

Survey: Retailers plan to open more stores due to lower rents

A report released Tuesday by commercial real estate firm C.B. Richard Ellis said that 59% of U.S. retailers plan to open more stores due to the attractive rental rates available in the current market environment.

Los Angeles -- A report released Tuesday by commercial real estate firm C.B. Richard Ellis said that 59% of U.S. retailers plan to open more stores due to the attractive rental rates available in the current market environment.

July 15, 2011

Boqueria to open new restaurant in Washington, D.C.

Grosenor Americas announced that tapas restaurant Boqueria will open a 5,331-sq.-ft. restaurant in a former Penang Malaysian Cuisine space in Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C. — Grosenor Americas announced that tapas restaurant Boqueria will open a 5,331-sq.-ft. restaurant in a former Penang Malaysian Cuisine space in Washington, D.C.

Boqueria, which operates two New York City locations, is slated to open fourth quarter 2011.

Grosvenor Americas also announced that Irish Whiskey will open a 3,815-sq.-ft. bar in the adjacent former Porters Dining Saloon space.

February 3, 2011

Walmart Latin America: 'Sustainagility' as key to profitable growth

Walmart Latin America CEO Eduardo Solorzano said Thursday in a speech that Walmart is using the company's expertise in sustainability as a means for profitable growth.

Miami -- Walmart Latin America CEO Eduardo Solorzano said Thursday in a speech that Walmart is using the company's expertise in sustainability as a means for profitable growth.

January 12, 2011

Tiffany's president to retire in 2012

Tiffany & Co. announced that James Quinn will retire in early 2012.

New York City -- Tiffany & Co. announced that James Quinn will retire in early 2012. Quinn joined Tiffany in 1986 and has served as president since 2003, responsible for the company’s sales outside the Americas.

November 13, 2010

Just Salad to open in New York City

New Street Realty Advisors, LLC announced a lease transaction between Whitehall Properties II, LLC, the owners of The Caroline at 706 Avenue of the Americas, New York City, and Just Salad.

New York City -- New Street Realty Advisors, LLC announced a lease transaction between Whitehall Properties II, LLC, the owners of The Caroline at 706 Avenue of the Americas, New York City, and Just Salad.

The 3,000-sq.-ft. ground floor space is located on the east side of Sixth Avenue between East 22nd Street and East 23rd Street.

Just Salad is slated to open in the spring.

Just Salad currently has five locations in New York City and two locations in Hong Kong.

October 12, 2010

CBRE names urban retail head, NY tri-state chief

CB Richard Ellis announced that it has appointed Nina Kampler as senior managing director of...