It's summertime! A time for outdoor cafés, barbecues, ballparks, beaches, and some of the best shopping of the year. And as I write this in late June, business trends indicate that retail remains strong overall.
The International Council of Shopping Centers reported that comparable-chain-store sales rose 5.4% in May over the same month last year, or a 3.7% increase when fuel was excluded. Weather did affect apparel sales, though the luxury sector rose 10.4%.
The Federal Reserve Board's June Beige Book reported that the city's economy has continued to expand, with retail sales holding steady, and above 2010 levels (despite a cool and rainy spring). Consumer confidence did drop on a national basis in May, with many believing gas prices were a primary cause. As those costs stabilize, we should bounce back a bit. Overall, barring any major calamities, the spring can be seen as an expected blip in a protracted recovery.
Leasing-wise, it's been a busy month, both here in many New Yorkers' summer home, the Hamptons.
Kiehl's launches a full-service spa, Spa 1851, on the second floor of its new store at 157 East 64th St., opening this month. Pull-in brings its delightfully quirky French lingerie to 259 Bowery. Brooks Brothers has signed for 901 Broadway. Grown & Sewn's khakis is coming to 116 Franklin St. VANE x Sebago have debuted a small concept store at 125 Rivington St. Space Cowboy brings Texas flair to 234 Mulberry St. Anthropologie will have a two-level store, replacing Victoria's Secret at 71st St. and Third Ave., by the holidays. Diane von Furstenberg has a second boutique at 135 Wooster St. Marc Jacob's stores in the West Village have been reconfigured again: the menswear store is now a Marc by Marc Jacobs, and Little Marc has moved from Bleecker back to West 4th and Bank St. RRL has taken over the Ralph Lauren's Men's and Women's stores on Bleecker St. Also on Bleecker, the TOMMY store has become a Tommy Hilfiger boutique again. Dagny & Barstow's contemporary designer clothing arrives at 264 Bowery next month.
Aesop is bringing an Australian skin care to 232 Elizabeth St.-a kiosk at Grand Central Terminal is open now through September 30. Xocolatti will feed your sweet tooth at 172 Prince St. Aritzia's store at 524 Broadway is finally here. Maison Bonpoint outfits well-to-do children with haute elegance at 805 Madison Ave. Yumi Kim's boutique at 1331 Third Ave. has arrived.
Looking for an innovative gift? Check out Dumbelle's pop-up at 145 Front St. in Brooklyn for couture paper dolls, artwork and other goodies. Healthy pet shop Paw Paw Boutique has come to 279B Broome St.
The Hamptons, too, has a number of newcomers. In Southampton, Edit Boutique has come from the Upper East Side to 28 Jobs Ln. Cynthia Rowley has shops at the newly revamped Capri Hotel (281 County Rd. 29A) and at 696 Montauk Highway in Montauk. Julia Gray Ltd. has a home decor outlet store at 20 Hampton Rd. Mackenzie-Childs, at 31 Main St., continues the incursion of home décor stores to the region, as does The Elegant Setting, which has moved to 27 West Main St. Horse Haven's equestrian style can be found at 36 Hampton Rd. Sunbarth offers colorful swim trunks and other beach accessories at 53 Jobs Ln. The Black Dog, a favorite on Martha's Vineyard, has come to 50 Jobs Ln. Jack Wills has jumped across the pond to 54 Jobs Ln. Mixology has opened at 100 Main St. (and 148 Main St. in Westhampton) with on-trend apparel at great prices.
Shoe-Inn, The Big Drop and Island Co. share 66 Newtown Ln. Eres' French swimwear and lingerie are available year-round at 55 Main St. Steven Alan's summer shop at 75 Main St. offers everything from bikinis to beach blankets. Sneakerology has relocated from Bridgehampton to 2 Main St. Michael Kors' location this year is at 19 Newtown Ln. Stuart Weitzman's resort footwear can be found at 53 the Circle, with space there for Theodora & Callum's scarves and jewelry. Restoration Hardware's first unit in the Hamptons is at 69 Main St. Find Sam Edelman's summer and fall collection at 46 Main St. Lacoste's summer unit is at 48 Main St. Crewcuts by J. Crew will outfit the children at 14 Main St.
Nor is Montauk neglected: The Surf Bazaar at 183 S. Edgemere St. in Montauk offers swimwear, sunglasses and everything for the beach. Splash features gifts and toys at 54 South Erie Ave. And elsewhere, look for Bond No. 9 at the American Hotel in Sag Harbor and Yigal Azrouël's pop-up at 2415 Main St. in Bridgehampton.
Summer has gotten off to a busy start, and I'm looking forward to reporting on more stores to adore!


Faith Hope Consolo is the chairman of Prudential Douglas Elliman's Retail Group, New York, N.Y. Tags: