Development/Redevelopment

Canton, Mass. -- Casual Male Retail Group continues to roll out its DestinationXL format, with the opening of its eighth store, in Fairless Hills, Pa.

DXL is an all-inclusive destination that encompasses Casual Male’s four existing apparel businesses, Casual Male XL, Rochester Big & Tall, Shoes XL and B&T Direct.

The company plans to open up to 13 DXL stores during the balance of 2011, another 20-30 stores during 2012 and approximately 100 stores over a four to five year period.

Indianapolis -- Electronics and appliances retailer Hhgregg said Friday it will open 14 new stores in the Chicago area on Sept. 15.

Chicago is a new market for Hhgregg, and with the opening of 14 new stores, it will become the company’s largest market.
 

Foothill Ranch, Calif. -- The Wet Seal reported Thursday that net income for the quarter ended July 30 rose to $2.2 million from $1.6 million.

Sales rose to $148.8 million, compared with $131.5 million a year earlier.  Same-store sales increased 6%, the strongest second-quarter comps since 2005, according to the company.

Looking ahead, Wet Seal said it plans to spend $17 million to $18 million in fiscal 2011 on construction of new stores or remodeling of existing stores upon lease renewals and/or store relocations.
 

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Holdings Corp. reported Thursday that its losses for the second quarter widened more than expected to $146 million, compared with a loss of $39 million in the year-ago period.

The operator of Sears and Kmart stores cited aggressive merchandise markdowns as one reason for the poor performance. This is the second consecutive quarterly loss of the company, and its fourth in the last five quarters.

Look for a big number out of Walmart come early October when it discloses 2012 expansion plans for smaller formats in conjunction with the company’s fall analysts’ meeting. Here’s how you can tell. Reading between the lines on the company’s second quarter earnings call transcript Walmart U.S. president and CEO Bill Simon touted the fact that the return on investment for Neighborhood Market stores is now the same as Walmart supercenters. Recall, in the past the rationale for the slow expansion pace of the 40,000-sq.-ft.

City of Industry, Calif. -- Hot Topic reported Wednesday that it tightened its loss in the second quarter to $6.2 million, compared with a loss of $6.3 million a year earlier.

Revenue edged up to $150.9 million from $150 million. Same-store sales rose 2.6% for quarter.

Hot Topic said it will open 25 to 45 Torrid stores in fiscal 2012. It also plans to close 10 to 20 Hot Topic stores and about five Torrid stores next year, and remodel or relocate 40 to 50 Hot Topic stores and 10 to 20 Torrid stores.
 

Port Jefferson Station, N.Y.  -- Centro Properties Group US said that Five Guys Burgers & Fries has opened in Port Jefferson Station, N.Y.

The new 2,400-sq.-ft. restaurant is located at Nesconset Shopping Center, which is owned Centro Properties Group, based in New York City.