REAL ESTATE

Holiday shoppers are in for an interactive treat when they visit Macerich malls this holiday season.

HGTV’s interactive “Santa HQ” returns Nov. 5 through Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, to spread holiday cheer to guests of all ages with a 21st century take on the traditional Santa Claus experience.

Pat Riley, the three-time NBA Coach of the Year honoree, will tip off Chain Store Age’s 52nd annual SPECS conference with a not-to-be-missed keynote address on Monday, March 14, 2016, at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas. And on Tuesday, keynoters — and political pundits — Tucker Carlson and Paul Begala will break down the 2016 presidential race.

Dunkin’ Donuts is expanding big time in Georgia.

The chain announced that 46 new restaurants will be developed throughout Georgia over the next several years, with six franchise groups.

The company also said remains on track for the development of 410 to 440 net new Dunkin' Donuts restaurants in the U.S. in 2015.

Currently, there are more than 150 Dunkin' Donuts restaurants located throughout Georgia.

Walgreens may have to shutter as many as 3,000 stores in its bid to buy Rite Aid, or 65% of Rite Aid's store base, according to one real estate analyst in a Fortune story published Thursday, including 1,000 locations Walgreens is willing to jettison as part of any FTC negotiation and another 2,000 locations after the merger is complete.

Target is taking steps to right-size its portfolio by closing 13 money-losing stores on Jan. 30, according to a report from the Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal. The decision to close a Target store is not made lightly,” spokesperson Kristy Welker told the publication. “We typically decide to close a store after careful consideration of the long-term financial performance of a particular location.

Saks Fifth Avenue’s holiday windows are an annual tradition in Manhattan, and the retailer keeps upping the ante.

Saks will unveil its windows on Nov. 23, and the display promise to light up the night. The retailer will transform its windows with a “Winter Place” theme, complete with a state-of-the-art light show featuring three-dimensional elements on the front facade of the iconic store, including towering light icicles, crystal palace spires, and snowy magnolia arches.

American Eagle Outfitters has entered into an acquisition that could eventually see it open hundreds of new stores, and also enter a more upscale market. The teen apparel retailer has acquired upscale menswear brand Todd Synder, along with Snyder’s Tailgate Clothing Co., a vintage sports-inspired brand that operates a college-town store concept. American Eagle sees the potential to open as many as 200 Tailgate stores at universities nationwide, starting with Southeastern Conference and Big Ten colleges, according to the New York Times.

With plans to double in size over the next two years, the fast-casual Newk’s Eatery chain is on the fast-track. And it is testing a new design prototype to help it accomplish its goal.

Dubbed the "Generation Two" design, the new concept represents a fresh, on-trend look for the brand, and is designed to resonate in new markets and elevate the overall guest experience.