Retailers snap up square feet at lower rents

Retailers are grabbing space in areas of Manhattan where rents have dropped but foot traffic continues to be high. Shoe Woo, the collection of footwear brands owned by Jones Apparel Group, has leased a 5,100-square-foot flagship space at Charles Cohen’s International Plaza. The space had an asking rent of $750 per square foot, and brands that will be featured include Anne Klein and Joan & David. Australian clothing brand Billabong took a 2,400-square-foot space at 597 Broadway.