Apparel

New York -- Same-stores sales increased 3.2% in May, edging up from a 3% gain in April, according to a preliminary tally of 12 retailers by the International Council of Shopping Centers.  

The number of retailers reporting same-store sales has dropped dramatically over the past two years, with major department store companies and discounters no longer reporting. Many specialty fashion chains are also following suit. Some experts caution that the results are now so limited they are not representative of the industry at large.

Atlanta -- A just-released report by Jones Lang LaSalle Retail found that three trends — in retail investing, retail expansion and e-commerce — are making national borders increasingly irrelevant to the retail industry. According to Jones Lang LaSalle’s “Global Capital Flows,” retail investment captured 25% of the total global market share of real estate investment in first quarter 2013.

Vineland, N.J. -- Ulta Beauty will open a new superstore  this fall at Cumberland Mall in Vineland, N.J. The 10,500-sq.-ft. store will feature a full-service salon as part of its offerings.

Cumberland Mall is anchored by Boscov’s, Marshalls, J.C. Penney, Burlington Coat Factory, Michaels, Old Navy and Bed Bath & Beyond.

Greenwich, Conn. -- Urstadt Biddle Properties Inc. has acquired two retail properties on Putnam Avenue (US Route 1) in Greenwich, Conn., for $18 million.

West Putnam Plaza is a 9,300-sq.-ft. retail strip center shadow-anchored by a Stop & Shop supermarket. National tenants include Cosi and JP Morgan Chase Bank. A wine retailer, day spa and women’s fitness studio round out the tenant list.

The second property is Cos Cob Plaza, a 15,000-sq.-ft. retail and office center. Tenants include Jos. A. Bank.

Leominster, Mass. -- Vintage Real Estate has purchased The Mall at Whitney Field, a 700,000-sq.-ft. regional shopping center in Leominster, Mass., about 35 miles west of Boston. Anchors include Macy’s, Sears, J.C. Penney, Market Basket, Toys “R” Us and Old Navy.

Concurrent with the acquisition, Burlington Coat Factor signed a 10-year lease for a 66,000-sq.-ft. space formerly occupied by Circuit City.

Dallas -- Regency Centers Corp. has closed on an off-market acquisition of Preston Oaks, a 103,503-sq.-ft. infill neighborhood center anchored by H-E-B Central Market. National retailers include Gap, Pier 1 Imports and White House Black Market.

Located in the Preston Hollow neighborhood of Dallas, Preston Oaks serves a market of 109,000 within a three-mile radius. Average household income is $144,000. The market’s population swells to 118,000 during the day.

SUFFERN, N.Y. — Lower-than-expected foot traffic driven in part by unseasonably cold weather was not enough to negatively impact Ascena Retail Group’s net sales for the third quarter ended April 27, which were bolstered by the recently acquired Lane Bryant and Catherines businesses.

NEW YORK — Ann Inc. reported total net sales for the quarter of $575 million, a 2.5% increase from $560 million in the first quarter ended May 4.

By brand, net sales across all channels of the Ann Taylor brand totaled $219 million for the quarter, a nearly 4% increase from $212 million in the first quarter of 2012. At the Loft brand, net sales across all channels were $355 million for the quarter, a 2% increase $348 million in the first quarter of 2012.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Linens and ladies’ casual and career sportswear buoyed Stein Mart’s total sales for May. The company reported total sales of $107.3 million for the month, an increase of 3.6% from $103.6 million for May last year. 

Comparable store sales increased 8.2%.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Limited Brands reported net sales of $737 million for May 2013, an increase of nearly 10% from $672 million for the same period last year. The company reported a comparable store sales increase of 3% for May from the same period last year. 

For the 17-week period ended June 1, the company reported net sales of $3 billion, an increase of 6% from $2.8 billion for the same period last year. Meanwhile, comparable store sales increased 3% for the 17-week period, versus the same period last year.