Silver Linings of the Month

After closing at a low of 287.87 on March 6, the Morgan Stanley REIT index has rallied in recent weeks. On April 17 — the day after General Growth Properties filed for bankruptcy — the index closed at 430.21, a 49.4 percent recovery from its low point.

J.Crew unveiled a new concept in Malibu, Calif. J.Crew-at-the-Beach features a color scheme meant to evoke the beach along with salt-air-weathered brass fixtures and sun-bleached floors made from reclaimed oak. As far as merchandise, the location hawks limited-edition surfboards, beach-themed garb and accessories and high-end merchandise from its regular offerings

British value-apparel retailer Topshop made its long-awaited U.S. debut, opening a 40,000-square-foot U.S. flagship in New York City on April 1 to large crowds and a healthy helping of pre-opening buzz. The store is bringing with it another British retailer — footwear seller Office — which plans to open a store-within-a-store at the flagship later this year.

Mexican retail chain Shasa also opened its first U.S. store. The apparel retailer opened a store at the First Colony Mall in Sugar Land, Texas. The company operates 64 stores in Mexico and hopes to open 100 locations in the U.S.