Convenience Stores

CHESAPEAKE, Va. — Dollar Tree reported 34.4% year-over-year EPS growth for the first quarter of 2011. Earnings per diluted share for the first quarter were 82 cents, compared with earnings per diluted share of 49 cents reported for the quarter ended May 1, 2010, which included a non-recurring, non-cash charge of $26.3 million relating to a retail inventory accounting change in the first quarter 2010.

New York City -- Borders Group on Thursday said it planned to end its relationship with Seattle's Best Coffee and begin operating its own in-store cafes. 

The move will allow Borders to reduce licensing fees as it works toward emerging from bankruptcy, a spokeswoman said on Thursday, and also to tailor its menus to customer needs.

The company said in a filing in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Manhattan that it will seek the court's approval of the move to reject its leases with Seattle's Best.
 

Chesapeake, Va. -- Dollar Tree reported Thursday that net income for the quarter ended April 30 rose 59% to $101 million, compared with $63.6 million in the year-ago period. The 2010 figure included a charge of $26.3 million for a retail inventory accounting change.

The retailer raised its sales and profit forecast for the rest of the year.

Revenue increased more than 14% to $1.55 billion, beating Wall Street expectations. Same-store sales rose 7.1%.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Holding Corp. reported Thursday that it recorded a bigger-than-expected loss in the first quarter as its shoppers cut back on spending. The chain said it lost $170 million, compared with net income of $16 million in the year-ago period.

The retailer had cautioned earlier in May that it expected a first-quarter loss due mainly to a drop in appliance, clothing and consumer electronic sales.

Bloomfield Hills, Mich. -- Convenience-store operator GasAmerica is utilizing JobApp Network’s automated hiring management solution for c-stores. Following a phased approach, the Indiana-based chain has now completed rolling out the solution to all of its 86 locations.

According to GasAmerica, hiring success starts with JobApp, which makes it easy for people to apply around the clock.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Winn-Dixie president, chairman and CEO Peter Lynch expressed confidence in the grocer as it heads into its fourth quarter, maintaining that the grocer's estimated adjusted EBITDA will come in at the lower end of the $100 million to $130 million range for fiscal 2011, a 52-week period ending June 29, in light of relatively flat third-quarter results.

LAKELAND, Fla. — Supermarket chain Publix has confirmed the termination of the lease arrangements with The Little Clinic within select store locations in Florida and Georgia.

The move marks the end of Publix’s five-year partnership with The Little Clinic, which is part of Solera Capital’s portfolio. Solera Capital had acquired The Little Clinic’s predecessor in 2005.

Voorhees, N.J. -- Philadelphia-based Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust announced Monday that Voorhees Town Hall has opened at the mixed-use Voorhees Town Center, located in Voorhees, N.J.

On Monday, more than 50 Voorhees Township employees moved in to the new municipal office, which is located on the upper level of the mall across from Macy’s and also features a street-level entrance.

Houston -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said it has leased space to two new restaurants in Houston at Fort Bend Center.

Baskin Robbins has leased 1,280 sq. ft., and The Fish Place has leased 1,380 sq. ft. of space. Both restaurants are slated to open in July.

The 97,000-sq.-ft. shopping center is anchored by Kroger alongside national retailers such as LA Fitness, Starbucks, Wendy’s, and Cato.
 

Auburn, Calif. -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said it has leased retail space in Auburn, Calif., at Auburn Village to Blue Moon Apparel.

Opening its third women’s apparel location, Blue Moon Apparel has leased 1,400 sq. ft. of space and will open in June.

The 134,000-sq.-ft. shopping center is anchored by Bel Air grocery store alongside national retailers such as CVS/pharmacy, Dollar Tree and Subway.