Finance & Capital Management

New York -- Chainstoreage.com has launched a new case study series examining the ins and outs of building a chain. Fast-casual brand Pizza Rev – with two units and counting – will chronicle the challenges and opportunities encountered as they grow the California-based chain nationwide.

City of Industry, Calif. -- On the heels of its Wednesday report that the company gained just 0.2% in October same-store sales, Hot Topic Inc. also announced plans to test a new store that will specialize in dark, edgy lingerie.

Called Blackheart, the concept will target the company’s core teen customer and will debut with five stores in southern California and Texas malls as well as online offerings beginning in mid-November.

New York -- The TJX Cos. turned in the strongest performance among the discounters in October, reporting a 7% comp sales increase on Thursday.

According to TJX CEO Carol Meyrowitz, the above-plan performance has prompted the retailer to raise its outlook for the third quarter and full year. “We believe the momentum we are seeing in all of our businesses … bode well for the holiday selling season,” she said.

TJX sales for the period advanced 11% to $2.1 billion.

New York -- As the holidays approach and retailers are still recovering from Hurricane Sandy, October same-store sales results showcased consistent strength in the department store category.

Nordstrom led the pack with a 9.8% rise in same-store sales for the month, and Macy’s Inc. had a solid showing as well.

New York -- With retail books closed prior to Hurricane Sandy’s arrival in the Northeast, most retailers experienced same-store sales gains for the month of October, some with stronger showings than others.

The 17 retail chains tracked by Thomson Reuters are predicted to report 4.3% growth in October same-store sales, up slightly over the 4.1% advance reported in the year-ago period and a significant gain over September’s 0.8% rise.

New York -- Winick Realty Group said that discount chain Deal$ has signed a lease for 10,624 sq. ft. at 301 West 145th St., located on the southeast corner of Frederick Douglass Boulevard.

The store, which is scheduled to open in spring 2013, sits at the base of The Langston Condominium, a sold-out, 179-unit luxury residential building that already houses retail tenants such as Bank of America, Starbucks and New York Sport Club.

Deal$ is an affiliate of Dollar Tree Stores.

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Lowe’s is donating $1 million to disaster relief and rebuilding efforts in communities affected by Hurricane Sandy. Lowe’s will work with its national nonprofit partners to provide both immediate and long-term support to local communities across the Northeast.

WAYNE, N.J. — The Toys"R"Us Children's Fund has pledged a $500,000 donation to Save the Children, a global humanitarian organization, to support its initial work and assessment of needs for children and families in evacuation shelters. These funds will also help the organization distribute much-needed items, including hygiene kits, diapers, and baby wipes.

The opening of the first CityTarget in Chicago was a big deal this summer, but next fall an even bigger development is coming to an area just a few miles further north.

OAKLAND, Calif. — The Clorox Co. on Tuesday announced that COO Lawrence Peiros, 57, will retire from the company effective April 1, 2013.

Peiros, who joined Clorox in 1980 as a summer intern, was appointed a member of the company's executive committee in 1999 and then to the COO role in 2007. He also oversees the marketing, sales, research & development and product supply functions as well as Clorox's Eco office.