Events

New York City -- A Wednesday report by Bloomberg said that Borders and Books-A-Million reached an agreement for a lease sale involved 14 Borders superstores and specialty stores for $934,209.

Citing documents filed Wednesday in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Manhattan, the report said the store locations include Portland, Maine; Canton, Ohio; Concord, N.H.; and Mays Landing, N.J.

The agreement is conditional on approval by the bankruptcy court by Aug. 29. A deal for Books-A-Million to buy 30 Borders locations fell through in July.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill.  — Sears announced that it is inviting Facebook users to support to America's military members by fan voting for the Sears Rebuilding Together affiliate program that they believe is the most deserving. 

Voting will take place through Sept. 23, and based on total vote tallies, Sears and Rebuilding Together will award 25 overall grants totaling $250,000 to Rebuilding Together affiliates at platinum, gold, silver and bronze levels.

Washington, D.C. -- The National Retail Federation welcomed plans announced by the Obama Administration Tuesday to streamline hundreds of government regulations, but said the plan does not go far enough.

Chattanooga, Tenn. -- Chattanooga, Tenn.-based CBL & Associates Properties,  announced a 6,000-sq.-ft. expansion to The Shoppes at Hamilton Place, a 125,000-sq.-ft. associated center in Chattanooga with existing anchors Ross dress for Less, Marshalls, and Bed, Bath & Beyond.

The expansion will locate in the undeveloped parcel in front of the center and will bring new retailers and restaurants to the area including Sweet Peppers Deli, Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt, and Bath Junkie.   

Seattle – Guess said Tuesday that it will open a new store in November at Pacific Place shopping center, in downtown Seattle.

The shop will open on level 2 between Club Monaco and bebe and is one of three new store openings within a few months of each other at Pacific Place, which includes Kate Spade New York and Clarks, as well as a major remodel for Victoria’s Secret and the opening of its Pink boutique.

Washington, D.C. -- A survey released Tuesday by the National Retail Federation and conducted by BIGresearch showed that department stores, clothing stores and websites are expected to attract most of the last-minute back-to-school purchases.

According to NRF’s 2011 Back-to-School survey, the average family has completed 43% of shopping for K-12 students, similar to last year’s 43.2%. College students and their parents have completed 44.3% f their shopping, up slightly from last year’s 43.1%.

New York City -- Spencer Gifts, a mainstay of malls across North America, has leased its first-ever location in Manhattan. The 60-year-old chain operates more than 600 stores in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

As one of Spencer’s few free-standing locations, the store, located downtown near New York University, encompasses over 1,840 sq. ft. on the ground floor. It is due  to open in advance of the holiday season.

Deerfield, Ill. -- Walgreens on Monday celebrates the re-opening of two Joplin, Mo., stores just 90 days after one was severely damaged and the other demolished by a tornado that swept through the city on May 22. The drug stores are the first major retailers in the area to re-open since the storm.

The store at Range Line Road and 20th Street was completely rebuilt from the foundation up at a pace faster than any other store in the company’s 110-year history.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Ross Stores continues to deliver impressive earnings results, reporting net income of $148.3 million, or $1.28 per share for the second quarter ended July 30, compared with net income of $129.3 million, or $1.07 per share, for the same period last year. 

The company reported that sales for the quarter increased 9% to $2.089 billion, with comparable-store sales up 5% on top of a 4% gain in 2010.

WASHINGTON — A survey released Thursday by the National Retail Federation found that nearly one third of tablet owners will use the device to purchase back-to-school items.

According to NRF’s 2011 Back-to-School and College surveys conducted by BIGresearch, consumers with smartphones and tablets will use their devices to research products, redeem coupons, look up store information, and even make purchases.