ChainLinks, a retail and real estate advisory services organization, announced the release of its National Retailer and Restaurant Expansion Guide. The report details the current expansion plans for hundreds of the largest U.S. chains.
According to the report, some of the most active retailers currently include 7-Eleven, Aldi, Apple, Bottom Dollar Food, Dollar General, Dollar Tree, HHGregg, Save-A-Lot and Walmart.
“As 2010 came to a close, growth plans were up 30 percent from the levels we recorded last year,” said Garrick Brown, ChainLinks research director. “Following the strong performance during the holiday sales season, many chains further upped their growth plans. Right now, expansion plans are up 40 percent over last year’s levels.”
Brown said that nearly every region in the United States is experiencing an increase, with the strongest surge in growth plans in those markets where unemployment is lowest.
“Ultimately, the current surge demonstrates to us two key factors; the return of optimism within the retail sector, and the desire to expand quickly now—while rents are still low,” said Brown.
