Real Estate

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

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%.

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.

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.

Boston -- Simon announced plans for a major renovation to Boston’s Copley Place that will begin in September and include interior and exterior enhancements to the retail portion of the property.

In addition to physical upgrades, Simon will continue to add a number of luxury retailers to the property. The majority of the project will be completed by the summer of 2016 with Copley Place remaining fully open throughout the renovation.

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.

Macy’s may be counting on key growth initiatives to generate sales during the holidays after reporting another disappointing quarter of financial results.

The company says same store sales declined 2.1% in the second quarter ended Aug. 1. Profit fell to $217 million, or 64 cents a share, from $292 million, or 80 cents a share, a year earlier. Total sales fell 2.6% to $6.1 billion, missing analysts’ estimates for $6.23 billion. Gross margin narrowed to 40.9% from 41.4% a year earlier.

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.