Retail

Plymouth Meeting, Pa. -- Fameco Real Estate, L.P. said that its property management division, Fameco Management Services, has been awarded two new assignments from Titanium Real Estate Advisors totaling 88,000 sq. ft.

Designers Court is a 78,000-sq.-ft. shopping center located in Marlton, N.J., anchored by Atlas Interior Home Fashions, Kroungold’s Furniture, Mixellaneous, ABC Discount Appliances and Toppers Salon and Health Spa.

Cincinnati -- The Kroger Co. said Thursday that its board of directors has approved a $1 billion share repurchase program.

The new program replaces an existing authorization that has about $213 million remaining. The authorization is expected to be used over the next 12 months, according to Kroger.
 

Washington, D.C. -- A report released Thursday by Bloomberg said that U.S. consumer confidence held last week at the second-lowest level of 2011 as the highest number of households in three years said it was a bad time to spend.
 
The Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index was minus 49.3 in the period to Sept. 11, near the 2011 low of minus 49.4 reached in May. The buying climate gauge slumped to the lowest level since October 2008.

Suffern, N.Y. -- Ascena Retail Group, owner of the Dressbarn, Maurices and Justice chains, reported Wednesday that net income for the quarter ended July 30 fell to $28.2 million, from $42 million in the year-ago period on one-time charges and a shorter quarter for the performance slide.

Bellevue, NY -- In a survey released Wednesday by thrift retailer Savers Inc., the average family is expected to spend $300 on Halloween costumes, décor and celebrations this year.

According to the Halloween Shopping Survey, 90% of adults are planning to create a brand new look this season rather than repurpose old costumes, and another 81% will purchase new decorations for their home. 

BRISBANE, Calif. — Wal-Mart Stores marked a major investment in social media and marketing with the announcement Wednesday that its technology unit @WalmartLabs has acquired mobile and social advertising firm OneRiot. 

Rockville, Md. -- Federal Realty Investment Trust announced that Ellwood Thompson’s has finalized a lease to open a local, organic market at Rockville Town Square in Rockville, Md.

The new grocer will operate under the name Dawson’s Market and the store is slated to open spring 2012.

Dawson’s Market at Rockville Town Square will house approximately 15,000 sq. ft. of local and organic produce, meats, cheeses, prepared foods and baked goods.
 

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Kmart announced that it is launching the Latina Smart Fund in celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month. Promoted through Kmart's Latina Smart Facebook page, the Latina Smart Fund will award $25,000 in scholarships to graduating high school seniors and/or students currently enrolled in college, technical or trade schools.