LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Trying to find the latest innovative concepts driving consumers into shopping centers around the world? Look no further than the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) 2011 Hot Retailer Award winners. Based on a survey of ICSC’s worldwide members, four retailers were chosen as the “hottest” concepts for 2011. This year’s ICSC Hot Retailers are: Athleta, Smashburger, Aldi, and Fossil. [Editor’s note: please see below for more information on each retailer]
The Hot Retailer Awards were presented at ICSC’s global retail real estate convention, RECon, on Tuesday May 24, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada during a presentation hosted by actor and fashion designer, Carson Kressley.
“Every year ICSC recognizes retailers that create unique and exciting shopping experiences that draw consumers into shopping centers around the world,” said Michael P. Kercheval, ICSC’s president and CEO. “These retailers provide outstanding products and services thereby contributing to the overall success of the shopping centers that have them as tenants. ICSC is pleased to add these four retailers to its list of ‘Hot Retailers’ and spotlight them during RECon.”
ICSC’s 2011 Hot Retailers:
Athleta
Athleta was founded with the mission of providing women athletes with apparel for different sports and fitness activities. The company has become one of the premier brands in the rapidly growing women’s sports and active apparel markets. Athleta offers high quality, stylish, and functional apparel, footwear and accessories, 90 percent of which is proprietary branded, across a wide variety of sports and fitness activities, including a high component of crossover apparel as well as casual wear. Athleta sells its products in stores, catalogs and via its website, www.athleta.com. The company is headquartered in Petaluma, CA, and has nearly 200 employees. Athleta was acquired by Gap Inc. in September 2008 and is part of the Gap Inc. Division.
Smashburger
Denver-based Smashburger, the country’s fastest growing fast casual “better burger” restaurant concept, is designed to be every city's favorite place for burgers. It was named a 2009 Hot Concepts! award winner by Nation’s Restaurant News and has received numerous awards from critics and consumers alike from around the country. Smashburger operates and develops corporate, joint venture and franchise stores across the country. Smashburger currently has 100 stores nationwide, and with the commitment from its franchise partners to build over 400 units, Smashburger is on target to have 500 plus stores in the next few years. Smashburger is developed and owned by private equity and concept-development firm Consumer Capital Partners (CCP), an innovative private investment and concept development firm focused on multi-unit retail businesses, primarily in the restaurant industry. CCP has deep experience in the fields of private equity, brand, concept and product development and strategic consulting. To learn more about Smashburger, visit www.smashburger.com, and for more about CCP, please visit www.consumercp.com.
ALDI Inc.
A leader in the grocery retailing industry since 1976, ALDI has more than 1,100 U.S. stores located in 31 states primarily from Kansas to the East Coast. In the spring of 2010, ALDI opened a new division in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. A select assortment discount grocer featuring its own ALDI select brands, ALDI boasts it applies smart and efficient operational and business practices to save more than 20 million monthly customers up to 50 percent on their grocery bills. ALDI, named 2009 Retailer of the Year by PL Buyer, sells more than 1,400 of the most frequently purchased grocery and household items in manageable, non-bulk packaging. For more information about ALDI, visit www.aldi.us.
Fossil Inc.
Fossil Inc. is a global retailer specializing in the design, innovation, and marketing of fashion lifestyle and accessory products. At the heart of Fossil Inc.’s vision is a commitment to fostering creativity and delivering the best in design through its two core businesses: Fossil brand; and a multi-brand watch and jewelry portfolio. The Fossil brand is rooted in authenticity and a distinctive Modern Vintage design aesthetic. With over 350 stores worldwide and a strong global e-commerce business, Fossil is internationally known for its eclectic assortment of lifestyle and accessory items including watches, handbags, and clothing. Fossil Inc. also creates fashion accessories for a number of other owned and licensed brands including MICHELE, DKNY, Michael Kors, and Diesel. Fossil is constantly developing its multi-brand portfolio through its core competencies in innovative branding, world-class design, and dynamic global distribution.
About RECon
RECon is the global convention for the shopping center industry. It provides networking, deal making and educational opportunities for retail real estate professionals from around the world. With nearly 30,000 attendees and 1,000 exhibitors it is the largest industry convention. The RECon brand now spans four regions: North America, Asia, Middle East and Latin America. RECon; bringing together the global shopping center industry.
About ICSC
Founded in 1957, ICSC is the premier global trade association of the shopping center industry. Its more than 55,000 members in over 90 countries include shopping center owners, developers, managers, marketing specialists, investors, retailers and brokers, as well as academics and public officials. As the global industry trade association, ICSC links with more than 25 national and regional shopping center councils throughout the world. For more information, visit www.icsc.org.