Strategy

New York City -- Robert K. Futterman & Associates said it recently secured the first Manhattan Chobani location at 150 Prince St. in SoHo, located on the southwest corner of West Broadway.

The 550-sq.-ft. space, formerly occupied by Swatch, is set to open this summer.

The SoHo location will introduce the Greek yogurt brand to a thriving retail corridor of Manhattan surrounded by co-tenants that include Lucky Brand, Cole Haan, Michael Kors, Ralph Lauren, among others.
 

Chicago -- Transwestern’s Chicago Retail Advisory Services team said Wednesday it represented Tuesday Morning in five transactions across the Chicagoland area totaling 95,416 sq. ft.

Dallas -- Human resources solution firm Assess Systems said Thursday that A|X Armani Exchange has chosen Assess to provide pre-employment testing of all stock and sales associates for both the retailer’s Canadian and U.S. operations.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Same-store sales at Rite Aid increased by 1.3% in May, compared with the year-ago period, the retail pharmacy chain said Thursday.

Reporting sales for the five-week period that ended May 28, Rite Aid said front-end same-store sales increased 1.8%, while same-store sales in the pharmacy increased by 1%, including a 129-basis point offset due to introductions of new generic drugs. Prescription count increased 0.1%.

Total drug store sales during the period were nearly $2.5 billion, a 1% increase over $2.45 billion in May 2010.

Bentonville, Ark. -- A report Thursday by the Associated Press said that Wal-Mart Stores executives met Thursday to discuss the proposed Massmart acquisition, which is expected to close in June.

According to the report, as Wal-Mart expands its international business, the company wants to bring ideas it gains from the South African chain to other markets.

New York City -- Private equity firm Gores Group is in talks to buy more than half of Borders Group's remaining stores, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter.

Borders, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in February, would be able to continue operating as a going concern, according to the report.

Other suitors are also talking with Borders, the Wall Street Journal reported.
 

MINNEAPOLIS — Target reported a 2.8% same-store sales increase for May, falling short of Wall Street's expectation for a 3.5% increase, as consumers remained cautious. The retailer reported that net sales for the four-week period were $4.8 billion, an increase of 3.8%t from $4.6 billion for the four weeks ended May 29, 2010. 

New York City -- The Jones Group has acquired Kurt Geiger, Europe's largest luxury shoe retailer from Graphite Capital, a leading United Kingdom mid-market private equity firm, for approximately $350 million in cash, inclusive of debt acquired.

The acquisition further extends Jones' reach into the designer footwear business through Kurt Geiger's portfolio of high-end brands and presence in leading department stores, such as Harrods and Selfridges.