Big Lots Stores, Inc.

Raleigh, N.C. -- Dallas-based Cypress Equities announced that Sally Beauty Supply will open a 1,354-sq.-ft. location at Plantation Point Shopping Center, located in Raleigh, N.C.

Sally Beauty Supply will be located between Rapid Refill and Dollar Tree at Plantation Point Shopping Center. The store is slated to open in spring 2012.

From Target Corp. and Big Lots to J. Crew and Express, the list of U.S. retailers expanding into Canada or scouting locations north of the border seems to grow longer every day. With its growing population, enthusiasm for U.S. brands, relatively underserved market and stable, resilient economy, Canada has become a land of opportunity— and a potentially important profit center — for American retailers. In fact, more U.S.

There’s no doubt that Canada is very much on the minds of U.S. retailers these days. As our cover story points out, Canada is attractive for a number of reasons, from its growing population to its resilient economy. But there is plenty of expansion going on here at home too. The extent of the activity is detailed in the “Spring 2012 Retailer and Restaurant Expansion Guide” from ChainLinks Retail Advisors. The comprehensive report, which details the current expansion plans for more than 2,500 U.S.

Louisville, Colo. -- Envysion, a leading managed video as a service (MVaaS) provider, announced that Big Lots has selected Envysion as a video service provider and has completed deployment of the Envysion Insight solution to approximately 1,200 of its retail stores.

Big Lots will utilize the Envysion Insight solution to improve loss prevention, operations and training efforts.

While there still is not enough new shopping center construction to warrant a “Fastest-Growing Developers” ranking system — as Chain Store Age provided for 20 consecutive years, from 1989 to 2008 — progress continues to be made.

HOUSTON — Stage Stores announced Michael Glazer has been appointed to the position of president and CEO on an interim basis. Glazer replaces the company’s former president and CEO, Andy Hall, who the company announced has resigned from both the company and its board of directors to pursue other interests.

Morrisville, N.C. -- Columbus, Ohio-based Casto announced that construction will commence on the next phases of the mixed-use lifestyle center, Park West Village, located in Morrisville, N.C.

Another 200,000 sq. ft. of retail space launches construction this month, according to Shannon Dixon, VP development, leasing and asset management for Casto’s Southeast operations.

Joining the next phase of Park West Village is a 55,000-sq.-ft. state-of-the-art 14-screen cinema, operated by Stone Theatres, formerly Consolidated Theatres.

Columbus, Ohio -- Big Lots’ fourth-quarter net income rose 4% to $114.7 million for the period ended Jan. 28, up from $110.1 million a year earlier. The chain also said it anticipates 90 new store openings in the United States in 2012.

Big Lots’ revenue in the quarter rose 10% to $1.67 billion, from $1.52 billion.