PetSmart LLC

A study of 10,000 U.S. consumers’ attitudes about retail customer service saw Sam’s Club best Amazon.com and dozens of other retailers among a field of 268 companies.

Waban, Mass. -- Sam's Club and Amazon.com deliver the best customer experience in the retail industry, according to the 2014 Temkin Experience Ratings, an annual ranking of companies based on a study of 10,000 U.S. consumers. Sam's Club and Amazon.com continue their reign as the highest-rated retailers for the third straight year, each earning an "excellent" rating.

Northbrook, Ill. – Trustees of Northbrook, Ill. reportedly are considering a 43,000-sq.-ft. retail development. According to the Chicago Tribune, the development sits on a four-acre parcel near the border with Glenview, Ill., which is owned by Svigos Asset Management.

Oakbrook Terrace, Ill. — Mid-America Asset Management Inc. has announced new retail leases in four shopping centers in Chicago’s northwest suburbs.

Big Blue Swim School signed a lease for 10,075 sq. ft. at The Grove in Buffalo Grove, Ill. The School’s second location in the Chicago area, it is expected to open in November. Jewel Osco, Chase and American Mattress anchor the 117,367-sq.-ft. center. Mid-America represented the landlord in the transaction. NGKF represented the tenant.

PetSmart plans to open 70 net new stores this year, including approximately 50 of its standard prototypes, 20 micro stores and three PetsHotels. That’s 10 more than last year, during which the largest specialty pet retailer of services and supplies also closed five stores and opened three new PetsHotels.

The company will spend remaining capital expenditures on store remodel-type projects, supply chain, technology, maintenance and other infrastructure improvements.

New York -- PetSmart plans to open some 70 net new stores, including approximately 50 of its standard prototypes, 20 micro stores and three PetsHotels, this year.  

News of the expansion comes in conjunction with the retailer’s fourth quarter results. Net income increased 14% to $132 million in the quarter, compared to $115 million in the year-ago period,

Net sales increased 2.9% to $1.8 billion. Same-store sales, including Internet sales, grew 1.2%.  

Phoenix - PetSmart Inc. had a better fiscal year than fourth quarter 2013, with net income and sales rising during the year but falling during the quarter, compared to the same periods a year earlier. During the fiscal year, net income rose 8% to $419.5 million from $389.5 million, while net sales grew 3% to $6.91 billion from $6.71 billion and same-store sales increased 2.7%.

Virginia Beach, Va. — Divaris Real Estate has announced four new retail leases in the greater Richmond area.

Friendly Motors has leased 5,000 sq. ft. in the Divaris-leased and –managed Belt Trade Center.

Zoe’s Kitchen has taken 2,800 sq. ft. in The Corner at Short Pump. DRE’s Richmond office represented the tenant in the negotiations.