Department Store

NEW YORK — Search engine giant Google announced the launch of Google Wallet, a mobile payment service that allows consumers to pay for goods via their smartphones. The application is currently being field-tested in San Francisco and New York, and will be available to consumers in the summer.

WASHINGTON — Ongoing economic challenges and high gas prices won’t put a dent in shoppers spending intentions this Father’s Day, according to new research from the National Retail Federation.

White Plains, N.Y. -- SRS Real Estate Partners announced Tuesday that Dick’s Sporting Goods has leased 58,750 sq. ft. at “The Source” in White Plains, N.Y.

The Dick’s Sporting Goods lease represents the first step of the redevelopment of the former Fortunoff store, directly adjacent to The Westchester Mall. “The Source” is also occupied by Whole Foods Market, The Cheesecake Factory, Morton’s, Destination Maternity and a planned Raymour & Flanigan.

The new store opened in April.

Westport, Conn. -- SRS Real Estate Partners announced that Gap has leased 17,448 sq. ft. at 125 Main Street in Westport, Conn.

The transaction represents a consolidation of all of Gap brands (Gap, Gap Kids, Gap Baby) into one location and a new long-term commitment to downtown Westport, according to SRS.

The landmark redevelopment of 125 Main Street is well underway with Gap, a planned expansion and long-term lease renewal with Brooks Brothers Women and additional retail and boutique office space.

New York City -- Regulators in South African on Tuesday approved Wal-Mart's 17 billion rand (about $2.4 billion) bid to buy a controlling share of Massmart Holdings Ltd. The Competition Tribunal of South Africa approved the deal on the condition that no job cuts take place for two years. It also requires the merged entity to give employment preference to 503 Massmart employees who lost their jobs.

Warrendale, Pa. -- Teen clothing retailer rue21 posted net income of $9.6 million for the first quarter, compared with $5.8 million. The company boosted its full-year guidance based on its better-than-expected results.

Net sales increased 25.5% to $172.9 million. Same-store sales rose 5.2%.

During the quarter ended April 30, the company opened 39 new stores expanding its total to 677.
 

San Francisco -- Gap will enter the Italian outlet center market, opening a namesale store at the Vicolungo Outlet Center near Milan, on June 2.

Dallas -- In another sign that the luxury market is turning around faster than other retailing segments, Neiman Marcus’ third-quarter profit more than doubled.

The company's net income for the three months ended April 30 rose to $46.2 million, from $18.5 million.

Revenue rose 10% to $983.8 million, from $895.2 million last year. Same-store sales increased 9.7%.

Neiman Marcus operates 41 Neiman Marcus stores across the United States, 30 Last Call clearance stores and two Bergdorf Goodman stores in New York.

New York City -- The Tommy Hilfiger Group said Friday that it will begin selling men's clothing in 90 locations of The Bay, a Canadian department store.

Gary Sheinbaum, CEO of Tommy Hilfiger North America, said Canada's "robust economy and increasingly discerning fashion consumers" influenced the decision.

The company described the setup as a "shop-in-shop," encompassing about 500 sq. ft. The shop will open by November.

The company has a similar set-up in the United States with Macy’s.

COLUMBUS, Ohio— DSW Inc. and its largest shareholder, Retail Ventures have completed their previously-announced merger.