2011 marked the latest year that several brands introducing themselves to the Alaska market. National brands like Apple, Aeropostale, Teavana, Bare Escentuals and most recently Olive Garden opened their first local stores and all in Anchorage. Olive Garden has already begun moving on a second location in south Anchorage.
Before then, big names like Target, Walgreens, Bed Bath & Beyond, Kohls and others entered the state over the last several years, with 2007-2009 experiencing huge retail construction. Other stores here expanded into additional locations during that same period.
The next few years will have their fair share of retail expansion as well, including new entrants. While the numbers are good, experts say this is still a slowdown from years past.
