Finance & Capital Management

New York -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. will not face class-action gender-discrimination claims in a federal court lawsuit in Texas, Bloomberg reported. U.S District Judge Reed O’Connor has dismissed the Texas class complaint, finding that the lawsuit was filed too late.

The suit, which alleged the retailer discriminated against women in pay and promotions in the company’s Texas region, sought to represent all women hourly and salaried workers, below store managers, employed by Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club in the region.

New York -- Maefield Development, Infinity Urban Century, The Witkoff Group and New Valley, an investment unit of Vector Group LTD announced that they have completed the $430 million acquisition of their Times Square Gateway Center development site. The purchase clears the way for construction of a 340,000-sq.-ft., 36-story, multi-use development that will anchor the northern end of Times Square, with a new retail experience, a hotel tower, and the nation's largest single LED screen.

San Jose, Calif. -- Togo's is aggressively targeting Oregon for expansion. The sandwich chain has fueled its development plans based on recent success of its Oregon franchisees.

The company aims to open 25-30 restaurants throughout Oregon in cities such as Portland, Eugene, Hillsboro, Bend, Medford, Salem, Klamath Falls, as well as Vancouver, Wash., over the next several years.

Seattle -- Nordstrom plans to open a Nordstrom Rack on Long Island, N.Y., at Manhasset Center, which is owned and operated by Kimco Realty Corp.

The approximately 32,000-sq.-ft. store will be the retailer's third Nordstrom Rack location on Long Island and is scheduled to open in spring 2013.

The new two-level Nordstrom Rack will move into the former Filene's Basement location at Manhasset Center and will occupy space on both the ground and second level.

Chicago -- Claire's Stores announced the opening of the first Claire's store in El Salvador. The store is located in the Metro Center Mall in the city of San Salvador.

Claire's partnered with Coquerias S. A. for the new store. Coquerias S.A. is also Claire's franchise partner in the Guatemala market.  

With the opening in El Salvador, the Claire's brand now reaches 34 countries globally.  

Minneapolis -- Target announced plans to open a store in Staten Island, N.Y., in July 2013. The 150,000-sq.-ft. store will be located at the Richmond Shopping Center.

In addition, Target said it will open its second CityTarget store in the city of San Francisco, in October 2013. The new, 119,000-sq.-ft. CityTarget will be located at the southwest corner of Geary and Masonic Streets. On Oct. 10, the retailer opened the doors to the city’s first-ever Target store, also a CityTarget, at the Metreon.

New York -- Murphy Oil is splitting in two in order to better focus on the separate tasks of exploration and production, and the sale of gasoline and other goods through its retail locations, the Associated Press reported.

Murphy USA will become a separate company focused on selling fuels. Murphy USA operates retail gasoline stations in 23 states. Murphy USA will also operate seven fuel distribution terminals and ethanol production facilities in North Dakota and Texas.

Cincinnati — With a focus on increasing square footage and building its presence in both new and existing markets, Kroger is poised for growth in 2013.

By Sandra Gold Slon, [email protected]

San Francisco — Gap Inc. is bringing several of its divisions under the leadership of one executive in order to fuel long-term growth.

With the start of the 2013 fiscal year, the company will bring together its North American, international, online, outlet and franchise divisions under a single global executive for each of its Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy brands. In addition, the company will form a new Innovation and Digital Strategy team to further its leadership position in this area.