It's May, and for those of us who focus on the retail sector of real estate, there's only one thing to discuss right now-RECon, the International Council of Shopping Centers' annual meeting in Las Vegas, where more than 30,000 retailers, developers and consultants gather to make deals, catch up and learn what's going on in the industry. For the last couple of years, I've been privileged to be a part of RECon's Intellectual Content Advisory Task Force, planning its educational program, and I'm delighted to see so much optimism this year, with exhibitors from around the world, and sessions talking about growth. You are not serious about retail leasing if you're not at this show-ICSC tells me that 25% of all retail leases have some connection to RECon.
To that end, my partner/executive vice president Joseph Aquino and I will be part of the throng doing meetings with retailers and developers, looking for the best locations for our clients. Please call my office or email me at [email protected] for an appointment!
And in conjunction with the conference, I will once again moderate a Women's Special Industry Group program: "The United Nations of Retail," to be held Sunday, May 20th from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in Rooms N259-N261 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. I'm excited to be joined by representatives of some today's most exciting retailers: David Chiovetti, senior vice president, North America retail/consumer direct of True Religion Brand Jeans; Mark Comstock, vice president of real estate with Sur La Table; Brian French, director of store development for Fast Retailing USA/Uniqlo; Brenda Godfrey, vice president of Global Store Development for Starbucks Coffee Co.; and Kathryn Ritter, director of real estate for Gap Inc. Topics will include globalization, the state of retail and real estate today, and other issues of the day. Attendance at the SIG is included in the RECon registration fee, but you must reserve a seat in advance. For more information, visit: http://www.icsc.org/2012RECON/index.php. So be at RECon and be in the game - and visit us at the Women's SIG!
I'll have a lot to tell people about New York City, where activity remains strong. Armani Junior's first U.S. store will be at 1223 Madison Ave. Angelo Galasso, creator of bespoke Italian menswear, has taken over the former Edwardian Room restaurant at the Plaza Hotel. Collette Consignment will offer major designer apparel including Gucci at 92nd St. and Madison Ave. Down & Quilt is relocating one block west to 527 Amsterdam Ave. Dior Homme has opened at 133 Greene St. Monique Lhuillier will open this summer on East 71st St. Nordstrom Rack reportedly is looking at 1095 Sixth Ave. for its next unit. Equinox's affordable little brother Blink Fitness is coming to Midtown at 600 Third Ave. Chloe's Soho home will be at 93 Greene St. Matt Bernson has opened at 20 Harrison St. All of Dolce Vita's lines-its namesake, DV by Dolce Vita and DV8 - can be found at 255 Elizabeth St. Burlington Coat Factory will take the former Filene's Basement location at Union Sq. UGG comes to Meatpacking at 405 West 14th St. Sandro is coming uptown to 986 Madison Ave. Nearby, Rebecca Taylor will open next month at 980 Madison. Are Fairway, Staples and TD Bank coming to the vacant spaces around the AMC Theater in Kips Bay? That's the rumor.
Spring remains busy on the "goings-
on-around" town. Right after I visit Las Vegas, I'll be receiving one of the great honors of my life-accepting an honorary degree from and giving the commencement speech at Mercy College on May 23. Receiving its Trustees Medal last month was an overwhelming experience, and I'm particularly proud to have been honored by and to support Mercy, which provides so much financial assistance and an excellent education to prepare tomorrow's leaders. I'm unbelievably excited-though I had to swear I wouldn't ask my staff to call me Dr. Consolo...
I'll also be a panelist discussing "New York: The Economy and Our Market" at the Real Estate Board of New York Residential Membership Committee's Annual Owner/Manager Luncheon on Tuesday, June 14th from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the New York Athletic Club, 180 Central Park South. Adam Rose, co-president of Rose Associates, and Hal Fetner, co-president of Durst-Fetner Residential also are on the panel, while Greg David, a columnist and former editor and editorial director of Crain's New York, will moderate. For more information, visit www.REBNY.com.
Have a Happy Mother's Day and a successful RECon! Happy Shopping!
Faith Hope Consolo is the chairman of Prudential Douglas Elliman's Retail Group, New York, N.Y. Tags: