Apparel

Purchase, N.Y. -- A report released Tuesday by MasterCard Advisors said that increased spending in most categories produced a strong holiday season for retailers, with e-commerce and apparel faring the best. Retail sales from Nov. 5 through Dec. 24 rose 5.5% to $584.3 billion over the same period last year, according to MasterCard Advisors' SpendingPulse. The figures, which exclude auto sales, are ahead of industrywide projections for a 3.3% to 4% rise for the holiday selling season.

New York City -- Sunday’s east coast snowstorm disrupted sales throughout the entire area and disrupted one of the busiest shopping days of the year.

Sections of New York and New Jersey got as much as two feet of snow over the past few days, keeping many shoppers at home. Spending may shift into January, Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst at Port Washington, N.Y.-based NPD Group, told Bloomberg on Monday.

“Look for sales to be repeated by retailers. They’re going to be more aggressive,” Cohen said.

New York City -- A report released Monday by Advisor One said that while it’s still too early to know the final outcome of the Christmas shopping season, it’s already clear that it’s been a record season for online retail.

Frederick, Md. -- Philadelphia-based Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust (PREIT) said that Waldin Jewelers has opened at Francis Scott Key Mall, in Frederick, Md.

The 1,103-sq.-ft. retailer is located in the Center Court of the mall.

Francis Scott Key Mall is owned and managed by PREIT.

Niles, Ill. -- Tuesday Morning has signed a lease for 20,000 sq. ft. at Village Crossing in Niles, Ill., a North Shore suburb of Chicago.

According to Oakbrook Terrace-based Mid-America Asset Management, the exclusive leasing representative for the center, Tuesday Morning plans to open in January 2011 as a new anchor, joining Dick’s Sporting Goods, Jewel/Osco and Pier 1 Imports.

HUDSON, Ohio - Jo-Ann Stores announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by an affiliate of Leonard Green & Partners, L.P., for a total price of approximately $1.6 billion, or $61 per share in cash. The offer price represents a 34% premium to the closing price of Jo-Ann’s shares on Dec. 22.

Salina, Kan. -- Addison, Texas-based Coyote Management, L.P. and Garrison Investment Group said they have acquired, through their affiliates, Central Mall, in Salina, Kan.

The 486,444-sq.-ft. enclosed regional mall is anchored by Dillard’s, J.C. Penney and Sears, and also features a 10-screen Showplex Cinemas and key major tenants Jo-Ann Fabrics and Old Navy.

The newly acquired property augments the existing 2.8 million sq. ft. currently owned by Coyote Management.

Hudson, Ohio -- Jo-Ann Stores said Thursday it has agreed to be acquired by an affiliate of private-equity firm Leonard Green & Partners for $1.6 billion in cash.

Los Angeles-based Leonard Green’s acquisition of the U.S.’s largest fabric retailer follows its $3 billion purchase of J. Crew, announced in late November.

Going private will enable Jo-Ann Stores to renovate stores and accelerate the chain’s expansion. It currently operates 756 stores.