Marketing

Pittsburgh – Dick’s Sporting Goods Inc. continues to expand its portfolio.

The retailer plans to open three new stores Sept. 11. Two of the stores will be located in Alabama and one in Arizona.

Dick’s will open its 13th and 14th stores in Alabama at the Shoppe at Legacy Park in Tuscaloosa and Cullman Shopping Center in Cullman, and ninth store in Arizona at Wilmot Plaza in Tucson. Dick’s will have 628 stores across the U.S. with these openings.

Salads and fancy pizza will soon be on the menu at a very limited number of Target locations.

Williams-Sonoma is spicing up its store format.

The retailer’s new store in Ponce City Market, Atlanta, features a direct opening to a dining venture by celebrity chef Jonathan Waxman. The adjacent restaurant,  due to open in the fall, is being outfitted by Williams-Sonoma.  A glass wall strategically placed between the restaurant and Williams-Sonoma will offer shoppers an exclusive view into the dining room, and also give them inspiration while they shop. The floor plan is the first in Williams-Sonoma’s history with an independent business.

Bellport, N.Y. – Perfumania wants to be sure investors hear about its growth potential. The specialty fragrance and beauty retailer has retained JCIR, a New York City-based investor relations firm, to expand its investor relations and financial community outreach program.

Columbus, Ohio – Big Lots on Friday reported second-quarter profit and revenue that beat analysts' estimates. The retailer also announced several promotions as part of a realignment of its supply chain management.

Big Lots’ net income dropped 13% to a better-than-expected $17.63 million from $19.94 million, with loss from discontinued operations cutting otherwise flat profit.

Net sales for the quarter increased 1% to $1.21 billion, from $1.19 billion. Same-store sales rose 2.8%.

Books-A-Million needs a lot more best-sellers.

Oak Brook. Ill. - Retail Properties of America Inc. has signed two new leases at its Gateway Plaza shopping center located in Southlake, Texas. Buybuy Baby and Cost Plus World Market, at Gateway Plaza located in Southlake, Texas. Buybuy Baby and Cost Plus World Market are both expected to open in fourth quarter 2015.

The 365,200-sq.-ft. power center is anchored by Kohl's, T.J. Maxx, Old Navy, Ulta Beauty and Bed Bath & Beyond, as well as many other prominent national retailers and restaurants.
 

Brisbane, Calif. – Bebe Stores Inc. continues to expand its global presence.

Bebe announced it has signed a five-year strategic cooperation agreement with Shanghai-based brand agency Longgoal LLC to open between 60 and 150 Bebe stores, shop-in-shops and third-party retailers in Greater China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. The first store is expected to open in the summer of 2016.