(Click for larger image.)

Here are some news and notes on retail and retail real estate from around the Web today.

• We published our weekly news analysis looking at the potential effects of the GM and Chrysler bankruptcies. We also posted our Chart of the Week, a look at the amount of outstanding multifamily and commercial real estate debt from 2003-2008.
• Drapers reported that British retailer TopShop is moving ahead with its planned U.S. rollout.
• CNN reported on growing rancor over S&P’s warning that it may soon downgrade hundreds of recent bond issues. In response, Square Feet wrote about how uncertainty is killing the hopes of any recovery in the CMBS market.
• Fitch Ratings issued a report looking at the various challenges retailers face in the current environment, including “liquidity, pricing, inventory and cost management as well as management of pensions and real estate.”
• Reuters previewed the May sales reports for the retailer sector and warned that “most U.S. retailers are expected to post declines in same-store sales in May.” Retailers will report their results on Thursday.
• Discount retailer Big Lots is is testing an upscale prototype.
• The Financial Times reported on Westfield’s efforts to work with its London tenants over a dispute on fees.
• Lastly, the New York Times featured a long and thoughtful blog post on the future of malls.

Related Topics: Commentary, Finance, International, Investment, Management & Leasing, News, REITs, Research, Retail, Retail Real Estate, Trends |