Real Estate

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Big 5 Sporting Goods reported that for the fiscal 2011 first quarter, net sales were $221.1 million, compared with net sales of $218.5 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2010. Same-store sales decreased 0.9% for the first quarter of 2011 versus the comparable period in the prior year. This compares to a same-store sales increase of 2.4% in the first quarter of 2010.

New York City -- Dunkin’ Brands Group, which operates the Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins chains, filed to sell at least $400 million of stock in an initial public offering.

The Canton, Mass.-based company plans to use the proceeds to repay debt and for working capital and general corporate purposes, according to its filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Dunkin' Brands was taken private in 2005 by a trio of private-equity firms for $2.4 billion in cash.

Columbia, S.C. -- Walmart plans to open dozens of new stores throughout South Carolina during the next five years, adding more than 4,000 jobs. Bill Simon, president and CEO of Walmart U.S., announced plans for the new stores at an event at the new South Carolina Farmers Market, in Columbia, S.C.

The new stores will include energy-efficient technology and sustainable features to reduce energy and water consumption and minimize waste.

New York City -- Wal-Mart Stores said that by the end of the year it will have invested the equivalent of approximately $756 million to expand its operations in Brazil.

Marcos Samaha, president of Wal-Mart's Brazilian subsidiary, said in a Tuesday statement that 1.2 billion reals ($755 million) will be used to build 80 stores, renovate existing locations and improve logistics.

New York City -- The Maine House on Wednesday voted to effectively repeal the Informed Growth Act, a law that was enacted four years ago to protect Maine's downtown business districts from big-box stores, The Portland Press Herald reported.

The vote, while a preliminary one, followed an impassioned debate about the character of Maine's traditional downtowns and whether Wal-Mart and other large national chains have hurt local businesses or have helped them by attracting more people to communities, the report said.

Indianapolis -- Hhgregg announced that it will open a 31,000-sq.-ft. store in Myrtle Beach, S.C., on May 5.

Like all Hhgregg locations, the new Myrtle Beach store will showcase over 100 digital TVs and has more than 500 major appliances in stock every day.

New York City -- SuperValu plans to increase the footprint of its value division Save-A-Lot by 160 new stores this year, GlobeSt.com reported.

“This past year we added 92 net Save-A-Lot stores, and this fiscal year we’re looking to add another 160 net stores,” a spokesman said, according to the report.

Stratham, N.H. -- The Timberland Co. on Friday will open a new store in San Francisco, in San Francisco Centre. Designed to reflect the company's long-standing commitment to sustainability, the 2,300 sq. ft. space is one of the brand's most eco-conscious stores to-date. In a first for Timberland, the sales floor is lit entirely with reduced-wattage LED lighting.