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%.

BOISE, IDAHO – Albertson’s Supermarkets plans to purchase grocery store and c-store operator the United Family. The transaction’s terms have not been released.

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.

Philadelphia -- Five Below saw net income surge to $4.1 million for the quarter ended August 3, up from $1.2 million in the year-ago period. Sales climbed 34.9% to $117.1 million from $86.8 million, and same-store sales increased 6.6%. The company had, by the quarter’s end, opened 32 of its previously announced 60 new stores on tap for 2013.

Dallas – Neiman Marcus is reportedly closing in on a deal to be purchased by Ares Management and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board for $6 billion.

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Shopko has teamed up with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and apparel company West Coast Novelty Group, one of the organization's corporate sponsors, to offer an expanded line of Support the Cure merchandise at all Shopko stores. 

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.