Retail

Minneapolis -- Christopher & Banks Corp. reported a loss of $265,000 for the quarter ended Aug. 4, narrowed from a $2.2 million loss in the year-ago period. Sales edged up 1% to $104.2 million from $103.4 million, and same-store sales climbed 7.7%.

Under the leadership of CEO LuAnn Via, the company is in the early stages of a turnaround, with store openings on tap for both fiscal 2013 and a longer-term three-year period.

Oak Brook, Ill. - McDonald's Corporation reported increased same-store sales in all but one segment during August 2013. Same-store sales increased 0.2% in the U.S. compared to the same month in the previous year, and also grew 3.3% in Europe and 1.9% globally.

However, same-store sales in Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa (AMPEA) declined 0.5%. McDonald’s cited negative sales results in Japan and China, partially offset by positive results in many other markets and the shift in timing of Ramadan. Systemwide sales improved 2.8%.

An article that recently caught my eye adds more evidence to my growing suspicion (and I know I am far from alone in this) that the near-term to mid-term retail outlook might not be quite as positive as we may have thought just a few months ago. The piece, “Gap Stands out Among Retailers in Tough Quarter,” in Women’s Wear Daily highlighted the sobering second-quarter numbers from a long list of big retail brands. As the title implies, Gap, Inc.

Memphis, Tenn. — Perkins Restaurant & Bakery has announced a six-unit franchise development agreement in Iowa and Nebraska over the next six years. The franchisee, CyHawk Hospitality Inc., currently operates six Perkins Restaurants and Bakeries — five in Iowa and another in Independence, Mo.

The first of the six new units opened in July in Ankeny, Iowa. Another location in Norfolk, Neb., has broken ground with an anticipated opening later this month.

Greensboro, N.C. – The Fresh Market has named Randall A. Young as its senior VP real estate and development effective Sept. 30. Young, 56, will oversee the company's real estate and development functions including market strategy development, site selection, store design, construction, store relocations and renovations.

Young most recently served as VP, real estate at Advance Auto Parts. He has also held a variety of real estate and construction roles at McDonald's Corporation, among other companies.

Pittsburgh – Dick’s Sporting Goods reopened a newly renovated store in Columbia, S.C., on Sept. 8 and is opening a brand new store in South Plainfield, N.J., on Sept. 13.

The remodeled 59,000-sq.-ft. store in Columbia includes additional specialized services and hands-on customer experiences, including a golf simulator, a club fitting center, putting green, an archery lane with an on-site bow technician, and bike safety inspections, custom fittings, tune-ups and assembly.

Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust is repositioning its Moorestown Mall in suburban Moorestown, N.J., by bringing in tenants associated with urban life.

For instance, a number of new tenants include independent chef-owned restaurants like those found in urban edge neighborhoods.

The goal is to reposition the suburban mall with an urban environment.

Dallas -- Tuesday Morning Corp. said it has appointed Jeffrey Boyer as executive VP, chief administrative officer and CFO, effective immediately. Boyer fills both the existing chief administrative officer vacancy and replaces outgoing CFO Stephanie Bowman.

Boyer previously was CFO, then COO of 24 Hour Fitness Worldwide, and has also served as CFO of Michael’s Stores and Kmart Corp.