District retail market growing

The retail development sector is faring better in the Washington area than it is in the rest of the country, according to a recently released report.

“Although consumers have retreated from purchasing non-essential goods during this economic cool-down, the metro area retail market continues to grow, albeit at a slower pace,” said the semi-annual retail outlook from Delta Associates and the Rappaport Cos.

The report found that, as of March, the region gained only 300 retail jobs — a 0.1 percent increase — in the previous 12 months. That’s the poorest showing since 2001, when the region lost 1,700 retail jobs. The national decline over the same period was 0.7 percent.

Consumer prices rose 4.7 percent in the Washington and Baltimore areas over the past year, higher than the national average of 4.0 percent, according to the report.

“The main culprit for above average inflation is the price of gas, which has reached record highs this year and is forcing all types of businesses that rely on this product, particularly the food industry, to increase prices,” the Delta report said.

New stores hit the region …

Several new stores are opening in the Washington area:

• Tysons Corner Center, often a retailer’s first stop when it opens a store in the Washington area, is welcoming three new stores to the region.

Tous, a Spanish jewelry store that recently expanded to the United States, is opening its first Washington-area store at Tysons Corner.

True Religion, a clothing store that specializes in denim, is also expanding to the Washington area with a store at Tysons.

Madewell 1937 is opening stores at Tysons Corner and Westfield Annapolis — its first in the Washington area. The store sells women’s clothes with vintage details.

• Westfield Annapolis, which recently finished a $160 million expansion, just announced additional retailers. In the new mix is American Apparel, a store that makes all of its clothes in the United States; Buckle Inc., an accessories and footwear store; Downtown Locker Room, a footwear and apparel store; and Hanna Andersson, a Swedish clothing store.

Punk’s Backyard Grill, opening at Westfield Annapolis in the fall, is the first location for the American backyard barbecue-style restaurant. Other new restaurants include Austin Grill and Stoney River Legendary Steaks.

In other news …

• Maryland has been airing TV commercials about its spring tourism campaign, “Pretty. Close.” The campaign highlights the state’s various landscapes, including the Chesapeake Bay, Annapolis, beaches and parks. The campaign will target Baltimore, Washington and Philadelphia, where most of Maryland’s visitors come from.

• Just after it opened its first D.C. store last month, Harris Teeter followed with a second. The grocery chain is scheduled to open its 45,000-square-foot store tomorrow at Jenkins Row, 1350 Potomac Ave. SE. The store will host a “Taste of Teeter” with free samples and 15 percent off case wine at 5:30 p.m.

• Retail & Hospitality appears Mondays. Send news to Jen Haberkorn at 202/636-4836 or jhaberkorn@ washingtontimes.com.