Strategy

Washington, D.C. -- A report released Tuesday by the Conference Board said that confidence among U.S. consumers sunk to a two-year low in August, as Americans faced continued unemployment woes and worsening business and economic conditions.

The Conference Board’s index plunged to 44.5, the weakest since April 2009 and the biggest point drop since October 2008. Economists predicted the August gauge would fall to 52, according to the median forecast in a Bloomberg News survey.

Jacksonville, Fla. -- Winn-Dixie Stores said Monday that its fourth-quarter net income fell 48% amid tough competition. The chain attributed the drop to the quarter being a week shorter this year than it was last year.

Winn-Dixie's net income for the quarter that ended June 29 was $7.3 million versus $14 million in the year-ago period.

Revenue fell 4% to $1.62 billion from $1.68 billion last year. Same-store sales rose 3.2%. Although average amount customers spent per visit rose 3.9%, 0.7% fewer shoppers came in, the company said.

NEW YORK — Japanese fast-fashion giant Uniqlo is set to open its largest global flagship to date, an 89,000-sq.-ft. store on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. The store, which will also be the larger single retailer on Fifth Avenue, will open on Oct. 14.

One week later, Uniqlo will debut a second flagship in Manhattan, a 64,000-sq.-ft. store 34th St. It will be the chain’s second largest global flagship

Dallas -- SRS Real Estate Partners said Tuesday it has hired Scott Ellsworth as a senior associate in the Phoenix office.

Previously, Ellsworth worked for NAI Horizon.
 

COLUMBUS, Ohio — DSW's model of bringing designer goods to a budget-conscious consumer continues to pay off, as the company posted sales and earnings growth for its second quarter. DSW Inc. reported that net sales for the second quarter increased 4.7% to $476.3 million from $415.1 million in the second quarter of 2010. Comparable sales for the second quarter increased 12.3%. 

Reported net income was $139.9 million, or $3.96 per diluted share. This compares with reported net income of $26.9 million, or $1.00 per diluted share.

Madison, Miss. -- Chattanooga, Tenn.-based CBL & Associates Properties has announced the start of construction on Phase II of The Forum at Grandview, a community center in Madison, Miss.

The 83,000-sq.-ft. second phase will include anchors Ulta, Homegoods, Petco and a national arts and crafts retailer, along with 14,000 sq. ft. of specialty stores. The opening of phase II is scheduled for summer 2012.

Lowe’s second-quarter financial report was a disappointment to the company’s executives, who made no excuses for the retailer’s poor showing. Earnings were down slightly, revenues grew by only 1.3%, and comp-store sales were essentially flat. “Even after taking into account the challenges of the macro-environment, we are still not pleased with our performance this year,” said chairman and CEO Robert Niblock, speaking at an analysts’ conference call on Aug. 15.

Arlington, Texas -- Centro Properties Group US announced that Shoe Carnival will open a 10,210-sq.-ft. store at Bardin Place Center, located in Arlington, Texas. 

Bardin Place Center is owned by Centro Properties, based in New York City.