Apparel

Centreville, Va. — Lotte Plaza International Grocer has leased 47,000 sq. ft. at the 200,366-sq.-ft. Centreville Square II in Centreville, Va., and plans to open next spring.

The Asian market will join Party Depot, Sleepy’s Mattress Professionals, Five Guys, Wells Fargo, Hair Cuttery and The UPS Store.

Philadelphia -- More than three-fourths (79%) of retailers expect an increase in sales this holiday season – the highest percentage seen since the financial downturn. That’s according to global management consultancy Hay Group’s seventh annual retail holiday survey, whose results were more optimistic that several other holiday forecasts.

New York -- U.S. chain-store sales posted a gain of 4.0% for the fiscal month of September on a year-over-year basis according to a tally compiled by the International Council of Shopping Centers. Excluding gasoline sales, the September tally would actually be +5.1%.

Stein Mart experienced strong sales in linens, ladies' boutique, gifts, ladies' career sportswear and women's in September, which bolstered the company’s total sales for the month.

Total sales were $112.20 million, an increase of 7.3% compared to September 2012. Comparable store sales increased 5% compared to last September’s increase of 2.4%.

Fremont, Calif. – The Men’s Wearhouse has rejected the unsolicited proposal by Jos. A. Bank to acquire the company for $48 per share, or about $2.3 billion.

Men’s Wearhouse said in a press release that the offer significantly undervalues the company, is inadequate and not in the best interests of the company or its shareholders.

New York -- Retailers reported somewhat disappointing same-store sales for September.  While only a handful of chains still report their monthly revenues, the tepid results of those that do raised concerns about the upcoming holiday season.
    
Gap Inc. reported that its same-store sales in September 2013 net sales were down 3% versus a 6% increase for September 2012. Net sales were flat compared with last year, totaling $1.46 billion compared with net sales of $1.45 billion for the year-ago period.

Retail Process Engineering, an innovative retail merchandising and supply chain solutions provider, has appointed Tom DiPinto as an account executive. 

DiPinto has more than 20 years of experience in enterprise class software solutions with deep experience in retail, project management and systems implementation. He will be responsible for identifying new clients and working with existing clients to align software solutions with business objectives to improve processes, grow the business and save money. 

Indianapolis — Simon Property Group has announced the grand re-opening of the redeveloped The Shops at Nanuet, a 750,000-sq.-ft. open-air main street center in Rockland County, N.Y.

With the re-opening, three new anchors are making a debut: Fairway Market, open now, Regal Cinemas, opening in November, and 24-Hour Fitness, opening in December. They will join existing anchors Macy’s and Sears at the property.