Finance & Capital Management

A strong increase in shopper traffic at Costco during November translated to a 3% increase in same-store sales, excluding gas, at U.S. locations during the four-week November reporting period which ended December 1.

Costco didn’t comment specifically on Thanksgiving weekend sales during a recorded call to recap results, but the company did say that traffic increased a little more than 4% while average transaction sizes were down slightly. Costco and its direct competitors Sam’s Club and BJ’s Wholesale Club were closed on Thanksgiving Day.

The Woodlands, Texas – Conn’s more than doubled its consolidated net income in the third quarter of fiscal 2014 compared to the same period in the prior year, growing to about $24.4 million from $11.8 million. Total net sales increased a healthy 51%, to $310.9 million from $206.4 million.

Northbrook, Ill. — StreetMac Asset Managers and Five Mile Capital Partners LLC have joined forces to recapitalize Stratford Square Mall in Bloomingdale, Ill.

The 1.3 million-sq.-ft. mall features more than 100 stores and restaurants, a 14-screen cinema complex and national retail anchors including Macy’s, Sears, Carson Pirie Scott, J.C. Penney, Kohl’s and Burlington Coat Factory.

New York -- J. Crew Group Inc.'s third-quarter earnings rose 6.8% on improved sales.

For the period ended Nov. 2, J. Crew reported a profit of $35.4 million, up from $33.2 million, a year earlier.

Revenue increased 11% to $618.8 million. Same-store sales role 5%.

Retail store sales grew 7.3% to $420.2 million, while direct sales climbed 21% to $189.8 million.

Conn’s more than doubled its consolidated net income in the third quarter of fiscal 2014 compared to the same period in the prior year, growing to about $24.4 million from $11.8 million. Total net sales increased a healthy 51%, to $310.9 million from $206.4 million.

New York -- Sales at U.S. chain stores were up 2.1% in November, or 3% without the effects of gasoline sales, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers. The group had predicted an increase of 3.5% to 4.5%.

“Sales were constrained by weak apparel sales this month,” said Michael P. Niemira, chief economist, ICSC. “November was a very competitive environment for retailers, and the softness in the November tally suggests some cautiousness by consumers.”

Newell Rubbermaid has named Paula S. Larson as EVP and chief human resources officer, effective Dec. 16. She succeeds James M. Sweet, who is retiring after nearly a decade of leading the company’s transformation efforts.

Milwaukee — The Marcus Corporation has announced the initial line-up of tenants at The Corners of Brookfield, an open-air, town-center-style development in Brookfield, Wis. The mixed-use 460,000-sq.-ft. development will be anchored by Wisconsin’s first Von Maur department store, which will span 140,000 sq. ft.

The announcement followed a vote by the Brookfield Board approving the development agreement between the town and Marcus. The agreement provides for tax incremental financing for the project.