Changes in 2010 for the San Fernando Valley region’s largest shopping centers included store expansions, new stores and some major retailer losses. The region’s largest shopping center in 2010 on the Business Journal List was Northridge Fashion Center, which had just under $1.4 billion in taxable sales. Westfield Topanga placed second with $1.2 billion in taxable sales, and Sherman Oaks Galleria came in third with $754.4 million. Westfield Topanga had the highest listed number of stores with 279, and Glendale Galleria had the second highest number with 250 and the highest amount of gross leasable space at 1.5 million square feet. Representatives at Northridge Fashion Center said the mall didn’t see large increases in taxable sales in 2010, though 2011 is definitely showing a turnaround. One major milestone for the mall last year was Forever 21’s move to a much larger site in September. The retailer moved from an 8,112-square-foot site within the center to a two-story, 25,000-square-foot site. The store also added a men’s department and a children’s department, which are expected to bring more shoppers. “That was really exciting for us and a great draw for that end of the center,” mall marketing manager Susan Haynes said. Stores that were added in 2010 were Cotton On and Angl, while Men’s Wearhouse left. Future plans for the mall could include a remodel as Northridge Fashion Center officials are researching the best options for going forward with the idea, Haynes added. Increase in sales Erick Klafter, senior general manager for Westfield Topanga, said the mall’s gross sales were “significantly higher” in 2010 than the previous year. There were also other perks. “It was better for leasing longer-term deals than in 2009,” he said. “I think the consumer confidence has gotten a little bit higher.” He added that there was also a return of luxury shoppers and higher spending per visit. In 2010, the mall also added new retailers, which included Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, the Auto Gallery and Paul’s TV. Urban Outfitters replaced Pottery Barn. In looking ahead to The Village at Westfield project, which will include nearly 100 specialty restaurants and stores nearby, Klafter said the shopping centers should complement, rather than compete, with each other. One hot topic in 2010 was Westfield’s proposal to include a Costco as its anchor retailer for the Village project. Some locals have complained about traffic congestion and blight that could result from the future Costco and its 20-pump gas station. Nordstrom to leave Representatives at Glendale Galleria, which had the largest amount of leasable space and the highest number of stores, noted the shopping center’s diversity as a key feature. “I think we have the largest assembly of stores and we run the gamut with everything from Target to Nordstrom, so it is really one-stop shopping here,” said Shoshana Puccia, marketing director for the center. The mall, however, is slated to eventually lose Nordstrom. In March, Caruso Affiliated announced that it had entered into a deal with Nordstrom to relocate the store from the Glendale Galleria to property where the developer’s The Americana at Brand plans to expand. Nordstrom plans to remain at the Glendale Galleria until its new store opens, likely in the fall of 2013. The mall did add two new-concept stores in 2010, though. “The Limited revamped their brand and opened their first revamped concept at Glendale Galleria, and the same with BCBGeneration,” Puccia said. Download the 2011 SFV’s LARGEST SHOPPING CENTERS list (pdf)
