HOUSTON – By Michelle Leigh Smith (Realty News Report) – This year, The Galleria welcomes several exciting new retailers, further enhancing the dynamic lineup at Texas’ largest shopping center created by Gerald Hines just in time for Christmas of 1970. Luxury powerhouse Balmain joins jeweler Jacob & Co., the house of groundbreaking watchmaking and Amouage, the perfumerie that keynotes Galeries Lafayette Champs Élysées in Paris.
Last week, David Yurman reopened following a stunning remodel and expansion. Fashion-forward brands such as Reformation, Mango, and Chevignon, as well as Hobbs London, Rothy’s, STUDS, and highly popular family experience company CAMP opened earlier this year as well.
The Galleria, at 5015 Westheimer, spans 2.4 million SF of space, housing 400 stores and restaurants, two high-rise Westin hotels, three office towers and one-of-a-kind restaurants like Musaafer.
Homes for the holidays returns to the front windows at Neiman Marcus, with a brigade of adorable and highly adoptable pups and cats from the Houston SPCA, beginning at 9 a.m. on Friday through Sunday from November 28 through December 21.
Cuteness alert
Cuddly canines and cats will romp around the luxury retail brand’s \storefront windows facing the interior of the mall, delighting weary shoppers and ice skaters. Neiman’s 244,000 SF mecca opened to anchor the east end of Galleria I in 1968. At the time, the family owned and Dallas-based retailer replaced a country store and schoolhouse on the Post Oak prairie that made way for Joske’s and Neiman’s.
In the tony River Oaks District at 4444 Westheimer, the nearly 3,000 SF Carolina Herrera boutique opened on a prime corner in October. The Venezuelan born designer and mother of five daughters founded her fashion house in 1983 and soon became the favored designer of the late Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and first ladies who followed her. Jackie O selected a mint green Herrera for daughter Caroline’s wedding in 1986. Like mother like daughter, Caroline chose Herrera to design her white silk organza gown. Joining luxury jeweler Van Cleef & Arpels’ 5,000 SF maison which relocated to ROD in July. Cartier expanded to an 8,000 SF cathedral to craftsmanship in July, replete with vaulted ceilings modeled after the Astrodome, two private VIP rooms and a bluebonnet-themed bridal salon.
For the more adventurous
Nestled in EaDo, Magpies & Peacocks, the nation’s only 501(c)3 non-profit design house dedicated to the collection and sustainable reuse of post-consumer clothing, scrap textiles and accessories diverted from landfills has moved to 2910 McKinney near Paige, in Houston’s historic East End.
Their mission is to disrupt the unfortunate cycle of waste in the fashion industry and mitigate its enormous environmental and social impact. So far, they’ve diverted 345 tons of fabric from landfills. Offering apparel, handbags, dog accessories, jewelry, the shop represents a refreshing stop for a unique gift or cool find. Their recent fashion show featured twins dog rescue crusaders Tena and Tama Lundquist Faust, founders of PetSet.
Also not to be missed, Christmas Rocks at 2931 Ferndale in the Upper Kirby District offers a concentration of holiday cheer. Owned by attorneys Bobbie Bayless and Dahlia Stokes who don’t do malls, look for Old World Christmas decor, European treasures and Ne’Qwa painted-on-the-inside blown glass ornaments inside the remarkable Christmas Rocks.
Apparel, electronics and home décor are all expected to do well this season. According to Forbes, had the tariffs been in place last season, shoppers would have paid an extra $132 per person, translating to a $28.6 billion burden, according to analysis from LendingTree.
What the experts say
According to the National Retail Federation report, spending is expected to be up 2.7% to 3.7%, says the University of Houston’s Barbara Stewart, Ed. D. Professor of Retail and Consumer Science. She chairs Human Development & Consumer Sciences in the Cullen College of Engineering.
The National Retail Federation released its annual holiday forecast earlier in November, predicting retail sales in November and December will grow between 3.7% and 4.2% over 2024. That translates to total spending between $1.01 trillion and $1.02 trillion. By comparison, last year’s holiday sales rose 4.3% over 2023 to reach $976.1 billion.
“American consumers may be cautious in sentiment, yet remain fundamentally strong and continue to drive U.S. economic activity,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “We remain bullish about the holiday shopping season and expect that consumers will continue to seek savings in nonessential categories to be able to spend on gifts for loved ones.”
“Overall they say holiday budgets will drop,” says Stewart. “Some of that implies that if consumers are concerned, they may buy fewer gifts or choose to shrink the list. The indication is they’ll continue to prioritize family and close friends but not the larger circle, all in an effort to cut costs.
Those who make more than $150K are buying more, increasing by 26% while those with incomes under $50K are cutting budgets 24%.
“Holiday budgets go up and down,” surmises Stewart. “If we were seeing overall projection of being less, it would be different. Overall, we inch up and up. I think it will be a strong season for retailers,” Stewart says.
The Cost of Tariffs?
“We know the costs of tariffs have to be absorbed somewhere. We know anytime the cost of doing business is higher, it has to passed on to consumer,” says Stewart.
Nov. 26, 2025 Realty News Report Copyright 2025
Image: The Galleria – A Simon Mall. Houston Christmas Tree
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