Appliances

Naples, Fla. -- Beachwood, Ohio-based Developers Diversified Realty Corp. said that Hhgregg has joined Carillon Place, a 283,238-sq.-ft. community center in Naples, Fla., and Peach Street Square, a 676,245-sq.-ft. shopping center in Erie, Pa.

Joining national tenants Walmart Neighborhood Market, Bealls Outlet, T.J.Maxx, Ross Dress for Less and OfficeMax, Hhgregg opened a 36,459-sq.-ft. store at Carillon Place.

The 28,152-sq.-ft. Hhgregg store at Peach Street Square joins Lowe's, Home Depot, Kohl's, Cinemark and PetSmart.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Holdings Corp. reported Thursday that its loss for the quarter ended Oct. 31 widened to $218 million, compared with a loss of $127 million in the year-ago period. The loss was more than analysts expected as margins fell and sales dropped, especially at the company's namesake stores.

"While Kmart improved profitability, our third-quarter results were disappointing, in large part due to lower sales of apparel and appliances at Sears," said interim CEO W. Bruce Johnson.

Washington, D.C. -- After going head-to-head with discounted holiday gifts such as luxury cashmere sweaters and appliances last year, gift cards are expected to emerge as winners this holiday season. According to NRF’s 2010 Gift Card Consumer Intentions and Actions survey, conducted by BIGresearch, Americans will spend an average of $145.61 on gift cards, up from $139.91 last year. Total gift-card spending is expected to reach $24.78 billion.

Bentonville , Ark. -- Walmart announced that most of its stores will open their doors at midnight on the Friday after Thanksgiving.

Starting at 12 a.m. on Nov. 26, shoppers can head to the Walmart Open House for big savings on popular toys, apparel and home goods, the company reported. Then, beginning at 5 a.m., Walmart said it will kick off its electronics event, including discounted prices on HDTVs, laptops, gaming systems and cameras.

New York City -- Holiday retail sales will grow by a strong 4.5% [+/- 0.5%] year-over-year to a record $519 billion, according to retail consulting and research firm Customer Growth Partners, New Canaan, Conn.