Hong Kong attracted significantly more cross-border retailers than in any other city in 2012, making it the world’s most attractive retail market, according to a report by CBRE Global Research and Consulting. The firm annually maps the global footprint of 320 world retailers. These retailers targeted a wide range of locations in 2012 CBRE says, with 81% of the 208 cities surveyed seeing at least one new retailer entrant last year.

Hong Kong was by far the most sought-after city, with 51 new market entries from all sectors and not just the high-end fashion brands that have traditionally targeted that market. Followed by Germany with 41 new entrants, Ukraine with 38 and Brazil with 30 new entrants. Poland, in fifth place attracted 28 new entrants in eight cities, although Warsaw was by far the most significant target.

Canada was in joint sixth place with the United Arab Emirates, with all but four of the 25 new entrants in Canada originating from the U.S., an ongoing trend since the start of the recession with U.S. retailers targeting Canada because of its relatively strong retail growth and its close proximity to the U.S. home market.

These new entrants are principally from Europe, but also from the U.S., Japan and South Korea. Hong Kong provides an opportunity for retailers to capitalise on the emerging middle class population and tourists from mainland China. Hong Kong is often used as a launch pad for brands entering the region although increasingly retailers are entering Chinese cities directly. While luxury brands led the way in 2012, retailers from across the spectrum opened their first store in the city last year, including Pierre Cardin, Forever 21 and Cos, according to CBRE.

American retailers are by far the most global, according to the firm, with Italy, the U.K. and France making up the second tier of major exporters. Traditionally, U.S. retailers have focused on Asia and Western Europe markets, but increasingly they are targeting the Middle East (which made up 18% of new entrants by U.S. retailers in 2012), central and Eastern Europe (17%) and Latin America (10%). Retailers from Italy, the U.K. and France are focusing mainly on expansion into other European countries, although Asia is also a key target fro French and British retailers, according to Peter Gold, managing director of cross-border EMEA retail at CBRE.

Mature markets dominated retailers’ expansion plans last year, although five emerging markets made the top 20. Kiev was in second place, with 39 new entrants. São Paulo (with 25 new entrants), Iasi (with 19), Muscat (17) and Ho Chi Minh City (15) and New Delhi (14) also were important target markets fro retailers.

Notable by its absence from the Top 10 was China which attracted only four new retail entrants, including Ted Baker and Forever 21, even though there were around 100 new non-cross border entries in the 16 Chinese cities surveyed.

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High Sierra Theatres of Santa Fe, NM (Thomas Becker and Nick Sanchez, Partners) purchased the Desert Sky Cinema at 70 W   Duval Mine Road in Sahuarita, AZ for slightly under[mepr-show rules=”58038″]$1.4 million ($74 PSF). The 18,166 sq. ft. building with six-screens has all digital projectors and three 3-D theatres with a total 750 seating capacity.

Storyteller Theatres Corp. a wholly-owned subsidiary of Marwit Capital of Newport Beach, CA was the seller. Sanchez and Becker were both members of the Storyteller management team in New Mexico, Becker as Senior Vice-President and Sanchez as Director of Operations. Sanchez in this capacity was involved in the construction of the Sahuarita theatre in 2000. Both partners have extensive experience in the motion picture exhibition industry, with over 65 years combined experience.

Marwit Capital had been divesting of the Storyteller assets for several years and one day Sanchez and Becker decided to make inquiries on the Desert Sky Cinema for themselves. “It was their first choice,” according to Becker, “because Nick had helped build it, and because we both love the area and think one day of retiring there.” The local management and employees have all stayed on-board in the transition.

The purchase of Desert Sky Cinema is the first theatre in the company’s portfolio, as they continue to look for others in Arizona and the Southwest. High Sierra Theatres is an owner / operator / management company and plan to run the theater as much as possible as a community theater.

Becker explains, “In addition to the Hollywood box office films, we plan to bring back an ‘Encore Presentation of Metropolitan Opera’, and are working on a 42-week classic film festival to include Hitchcock, Welles and other classic films best viewed on the large screen. Although we haven’t reserved all the film names yet in the series, I can say, ‘Casablanca’ with Humphry Bogart and Ingrid Bergman will be in the lineup.”

The new owners encourage feedback from the community to bring as much alternative films as possible to the region and will also do private theater events with seating for 100 – 200 people. The theatre is also satellite equipped for additional special events.

Becker can be reached at (203) 943-1146 and Desert Sky Cinema should be contacted at (520) 393-1212.[/mepr-show]

INDUSTRIAL SPACE – 2165 N FORBES BLVD., STE 105, TUCSON

United Freight Service (Nick Sblendorio, President)  leased 17,618 sq. ft. at 2165 N Forbes Blvd, Suite 105 in Tucson from Forbes Tucson, LLC. United Freight Service is a floor covering logistics company with locations in Phoenix, Tucson, Las Vegas, San Diego, Los Angeles, and Dalton, GA. Rob Glaser, SIOR, CCIM, Industrial Specialist with Cushman & Wakefield / Picor Commercial Real Estate Service handled the transaction.

OFFICE SPACE – 5301 E GRANT   ROAD, TUCSON

Brown Mackie College leased 13,296 square feet at 5301 E. Grant Road in Tucson from TMC Holdings, Inc. Rick Kleiner, MBA, Tom Knox, SIOR, and Tom Nieman, Principals and Office Specialists with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR Commercial Real Estate Services, handled the transaction. Kleiner and Knox represented the landlord and Nieman representing the tenant.

RETAIL SPACE – 825 E UNIVERSITY, TUCSON

CVS Pharmacy leased 12,000 sq. ft. at 825 E University at Main Gate Square in Tucson. CVS will be the newest addition to 20 retailers and 30 restaurants at Main   Gate Square near the University of Arizona. The landlord was the Marshall Foundation. CVS plans to be open by the start of school in late summer. Broker information was not available in time for publishing.

OFFICE SPACE – 6130 N LACHOLLA   BLVD, TUCSON

Northwest Hospital, LLC renewed two medical office leases at 6130 North LaCholla, Tucson, including 8,848 sq. ft. in Suite 111, and 9,851 sq. ft., Suite 121 from landlord HCP / Utah, LLC. Rick Kleiner, MBA, and Tom Knox, SIOR, Principals and Office Specialists with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR Commercial Real Estate Services represented the landlord in these transactions.

STUDENT HOUSING – 95% LEASED AT LEVEL, 1020 N TYNDALL, TUCSON

Campus Acquisitions reported this week that Phase I of two student housing projects adjacent to the University of Arizona is 95% leased while work continues on Phase 2 on Park Avenue, the second tower for Fall 2014 delivery. LEVEL is a 14-story, 176-unit, 586 bed, upscale building, complete with modern amenities including a rooftop pool, outdoor terraces, exercise rooms, study and technology rooms, and on-site management by CA’s full service staff. LEVEL broke ground in May 2012 and will be ready for August 2013 occupancy.

OFFICE SPACE – WILMOT PROFESSIONAL PLAZA

Oasis Medical Aesthetics leased 3,025 sq. ft. at WilmotProfessionalPlaza located on Wilmot Rd., just south of Grant Rd. The premises will be used as a medical office specializing in cosmetic medical services and for the sales of related products and services. They are scheduled to open for business September 2013. Andy Seleznov and Melissa Lal, represented the landlord, Larsen Baker, while Jeff Casper, of CBRE in Tucson represented the tenant.

RETAIL SPACE – 7607 N ORACLE   ROAD, TUCSON

Fleet Feet Sports leased 2,890 square feet within Oracle Crossing Shopping Center at 7607 N. Oracle Road in Tucson from Weingarten Nostat, Inc. Aaron LaPrise, Retail Specialist with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR Commercial Real Estate Services, represented the Tenant in this transaction.

RETAIL – TUCSON SPECTRUM NEW PAD

Five Guys Burgers & Fries leased 2,505 sq. ft. at TucsonSpectrumShopping Center at the southwest corner of I-19 and Irvington from DDR that will build the new pad 6,400 sq. ft. out parcel #6 between Harkins Theatres and Discount Tire. Chris Ray of Catalyst Commercial Group in Phoenix represented the tenant. Contact Nancy McClure of CBRE for information on the remaining space adjoining Five Guys Burgers and other availability at the Tucson Spectrum.

RETAIL – 2910 E   SPEEDWAY BLVD, TUCSON

LB Tucson Restaurant Company, LLC of Ramona, CA (Jose Bravo, manager)  leased 1,872 sq. ft. at 2910   E Speedway Blvd, a former KFC in Tucson, from the Elizabeth McCuiston Trust. Aaron LaPrise and Greg Furrier of Cushman & Wakefield / Picor Commercial Real Estate Services handled the transaction.

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