Strategy

New York City -- Planet Fitness said Wednesday that it will open a Manhattan flagship location in Chelsea, at 158 West 27th Street, and is slated to open in early 2012.

The 20,000-sq.-ft. center will be housed at Himmel + Meringoff Properties’ 12-story, 117,000-sq.-ft. office building which has recently undergone a multi-million-dollar renovation.

Planet Fitness currently operates its only New York City fitness center in Harlem on 125th Street.

 

BRISBANE, Calif. — Wal-Mart Stores marked a major investment in social media and marketing with the announcement Wednesday that its technology unit @WalmartLabs has acquired mobile and social advertising firm OneRiot. 

New York City -- Frederick's of Hollywood said Wednesday it has named former Gap executive Don Jones as its president and COO. He will be charged with helping to revitalize the Frederick’s Hollywood brand on an international scale.

Jones, most recently a retail consultant, was senior VP of stores and operations for Gap, where led the rollout of the Gap Body line.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Sam's Club has announced the availability of three new proprietary brands found exclusively at Club locations nationwide: Simply Right, Artisan Fresh and Daily Chef. 

The products under the three brands were previously all available under the Member's Mark brand. Sam's Club said it decided to break out the labels after research determining members' priority needs in health and wellness, fresh, flavorful meal solutions and everyday cooking.

Suffern, N.Y. -- Ascena Retail Group, owner of the Dressbarn, Maurices and Justice chains, reported Wednesday that net income for the quarter ended July 30 fell to $28.2 million, from $42 million in the year-ago period on one-time charges and a shorter quarter for the performance slide.

Fort Worth, Texas -- Pier 1 Imports reported Thursday that second-quarter profit rose to $16.6 million, from $14.4 million a year earlier, matching Wall Street expectations.

Sales for the quarter increased 9.6% to $339.6 million, compared with $309.9 million in the year-ago quarter. Same-store sales increased 10.8%, boosted by higher traffic and average-ticket numbers.

Plymouth Meeting, Pa. -- Fameco Real Estate, L.P. said that its property management division, Fameco Management Services, has been awarded two new assignments from Titanium Real Estate Advisors totaling 88,000 sq. ft.

Designers Court is a 78,000-sq.-ft. shopping center located in Marlton, N.J., anchored by Atlas Interior Home Fashions, Kroungold’s Furniture, Mixellaneous, ABC Discount Appliances and Toppers Salon and Health Spa.

NEW YORK — Walmart is bringing back its layaway program this holiday season, responding to pressures on low income consumers, MarketWatch reported.

Walmart, which canceled the program in 2006, except for fine jewelery, based on costs and limited use, is bringing back the program at its Walmart U.S. stores for Oct. 17 to Dec. 16 for electronics and toys, according to the report.