Department Store

Pleasanton, Calif. — Ross Dress for Less opened 24 new locations last Friday, on Oct. 11. The openings complete the retailer’s 2013 expansion plan to open 65 new locations this year.

The new store openings bring the total of Ross stores to 1,154. Four of the new Ross stores opened in Illinois, three in Missouri and one in Indiana, as the retailer continues its growth in new markets it has entered over the past two years.

Saks Fifth Avenue will unveil its renovated men’s store in its Chicago flagship on Michigan Avenue in January of the new year. The renovation will encompass a total redesign of floors six and seven, creating an open environment that will be easily accessed by a new express elevator that will take passengers directly to the men’s floors.  

New York -- Saks Fifth Avenue in January 2014 will unveil its renovated men’s store in its Chicago flagship on Michigan Avenue. The renovation will encompass a total redesign of floors six and seven, creating an open environment that will be easily accessed by a new express elevator that will take passengers directly to the men’s floors.  

Pleasanton, Calif. — Dd’s Discounts recently opened nine new locations across five states as part of the retailer’s 2013 expansion program totaling 23 new locations.

The retailer now operates 131 locations in eight states. The new stores are located in California (4), Texas (2), Arizona (1), Florida (1) and Tennessee (1).

Jacksonville, Fla. -- Stein Mart is expanding its presence this fall with four new stores and two relocated stores. The new stores are located in El Paso, Texas; Buford (Atlanta), Ga.; Elk Grove (Sacramento), Calif.; and Watchung, N.J.

The opening of two new Stein Mart stores in New Jersey and California this month will round out the discount department store operator's 2013 capital expansion program and give it a year-end total of 264 units.

The opening follows four new stores last month in El Paso, Texas; Buford, Ga.; Elk Grove, Calif.; and Colorado Springs, Co., as well as a September comparable-store sales increase of 5% and a total net sales increase of 7.3% for the month.

Matthews, N.C. -- Family Dollar has elevated Jason Reiser to the position of senior VP/lead merchandising officer at Family Dollar, according to an internal memo from company president and COO Mike Bloom.

Dallas and New Orleans — The Howard Hughes Corp. has announced the tenant lineup for the redevelopment of Riverwalk Marketplace in New Orleans. The $70 million renovation is transforming the aging mall into The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk, the nation’s first downtown outlet center.

According to Hughes Corp., virtually all of the space in the new Riverwalk has been committed, and well-known national outlet retailers and popular local retail, dining and entertainment offerings hold 94% of the leases.