Development/Redevelopment

Seattle -- Finally some good news in the department store sector.

Nordstrom Inc. on Thursday reported better-than-expected fiscal second-quarter earnings and sales.

The retailer reported net profit of $211 million, or $1.09 a share, for the quarter ending Aug. 1, up from $183 million, or 95 cents a share, in the year-ago period.

Columbus, Ohio -- DSW continues its march across America.

The footwear and accessories retailer is opening 22 stores this fill, including six locations in new markets.

"Expanding our store base allows us to grow our footprint in areas we already call home, while also bringing DSW stores and the DSW brand to areas where our customers have been anticipating our arrival,” said Carrie McDermott, executive VP and COO of DSW, which operated 449 stores in 42 states.

Little Rock, Ark. -- Dillard’s Inc. profit declined 13.3% in the second quarter, but it still came in better than analysts had expected.

Growth in shoes and some apparel categories helped Dillard’s post a feeble second quarter same-store sale increase, but it was too little for the department store retailer to avoid the sharp decline in profitability. The retailer’s profit for the quarter ending Aug. 1 was $29.9 million, down from $34.5 million in the year-ago period.

Jacksonville, Fla. -- Off-price retailer Stein Mart continues to pursue the accelerated store growth strategy that it began in 2014.

The off-price retailer announced it will open nine stores this fall, and at least 12 new locations in 2016.

The news follows the company's recent release of first half 2015 total sales growth of 6.1% and comparable store-sales growth of 4.0%.

DSW's aggressive store expansion plan is still on track, as the retailer looks to tap growth in existing as well as new markets.

The footwear and accessories retailer says it is opening 22 stores this fall, including six locations in new markets.

"Expanding our store base allows us to grow our footprint in areas we already call home, while also bringing DSW stores and the DSW brand to areas where our customers have been anticipating our arrival,” said Carrie McDermott, executive VP and COO of DSW, which operated 449 stores in 42 states.

Off-price retailer Stein Mart is accelerating the implementation of its store growth strategy just as thrifty shoppers increasingly flock to discounters.

A soon-to-open Cost Plus World Market store in Manhattan could serve as a blueprint for the company's expansion in other urban areas.

Photo: At Broadway and 68th, a 30,000-sq.-ft. store takes shape.

New York -- Lowe’s is giving an overhaul to its store format strategy when it makes its Manhattan debut on Aug. 17.

The North Carolina-based retailer is set to open two stores in the Big Apple, with the first opening on the Upper West Side on Monday, and the second, in the city’s Chelsea neighborhood, in September.

Oakland, Calif. -- Cost Plus Worldwide Market is opening its first-ever Manhattan outpost — and also showing off a new format.

The value-priced home furnishings and lifestyle specialty retailer will open a store on Thursday, August 20, in the city’s Chelsea neighborhood. At 5,000-sq.-ft., it is Cost Plus’ first small-scale store.

New York -- Macy’s has joined the increasing number of retailers tapping into their real estate assets.

Macy’s on Wednesday announced a real estate purchase agreement with developer Tishman Speyer to sell several of the nine floors of the Macy’s store on Fulton Street in Brooklyn, New York. The real estate transaction is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter, and Macy’s is expected to record a gain of approximately $250 million in its fiscal fourth quarter of 2015.