"We're going to be looking for quite a few locations," she says. Sally Beauty units, which an average 1,600 sf, are currently located mainly in grocery-anchored centers. The company, which reached $2.4 billion in total sales last year, also operates a wholesale concept, which calls for an average of between 2,000 sf and 2,500 sf.

Sally Beauty was one of many retailers to present its expansion plans at the conference. Many of the retailers presenting were regionally-based chains growing throughout New England.

Convenience-store company Tedeschi Food Shops is looking for more sites throughout the region. Currently, the company operates 200 stores under three brand names: Tedeschi, 24 Store and Little Peach.