Department Store

Ann Arbor, Mich. -- Amazon.com was the top performer in a review of the Top 100 online retailers by ForeSee Results. The annual report, Top 100 E-Retail Satisfaction Index, includes individual satisfaction scores with the 100 top e-retailers for the past seven years, allowing for comparisons over time and between companies.

San Francisco -- Gap plans to open stores in Serbia and Ukraine later this year as its continues to expand its international operations.

The chain said Friday that it signed new deals with existing franchise partners that will put Gap stores in Belgrade and Kiev.

According to Stephen Sunnucks, the company's international president, the Ukraine is the fastest-growing retail market in Eastern Europe, while Serbia has many young customers who enjoy shopping.

Seattle -- Nordstrom reported Thursday that its first-quarter net income rose 25% on improved revenue. But the company lowered its full-year outlook to reflect the impact of its acquisition of private-sale website HauteLook.

Nordstrom said it earned $145 million for the quarter that ended April 30, up from $116 million in the same quarter last year. (The figure includes a charge related to the HauteLook acquisition.) Revenue increased 12% to $2.23 billion. Same-store sales were up 6.5%.

Boynton Beach, Fla. -- Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group announced that its Boynton Beach Mall property recently welcomed eight new local retailers to its tenant lineup and has also announced the South Florida debut of CCS, a national skate and extreme sports concept store from Foot Locker, to open later this year.

Additionally, several national retailers are in the process of renovating and updating existing locations at the regional shopping mall.

Willow Grove, Pa. -- Philadelphia-based Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust said that Jos. A. Bank has opened at Willow Grove Park, in Willow Grove, Pa.

The 4,465-sq.-ft. store is located next to Bloomingdale’s and joins other men’s fashion collection stores Men’s Wearhouse and Tux, Express, J. Crew, Banana Republic and Guess.

Frisco, Texas -- New York City-based Centro Properties Group said that The Foundry Big & Tall Supply Co. has opened at Preston Ridge, located in Frisco, Texas.

The 5,000-sq.-ft. store is part of the new Growth Brands Division at J.C. Penney Co.

Preston Ridge is owned by Centro.
 

St. Paul, Minn. -- Paster Enterprises announced that Whole Foods Market is opening a 32,000-sq.-ft. standalone location at the company’s Minnetonka property.

Construction on the project, a joint venture between Paster Enterprises and Shiner Capital Partners, a Chicago-based real estate investment firm, officially began on April 20.

Brooksville, Fla. -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said it has leased retail space to two new tenants in Brooksville, Fla., at Suncoast Crossing.

Sprint has leased 1,750 sq. ft., and Gia’s Cakes & Goodies has leased 1,400 sq. ft.

Both are slated to open this summer.

The 260,000-sq.-ft. shopping center is anchored by a 142,000-sq.-ft. Target and a 98,000-sq.-ft. Kohl’s alongside national retailers such as Supercuts and McDonald’s.
 

Newport Beach, Calif. -- Grubb & Ellis Co. said that Cole Real Estate Investments has selected members of the company’s Retail Group to lease Whittwood Town Center, a 686,211-sq.-ft. shopping center in Whittier, Calif.

Whittwood Town Center is approximately 97% leased, with national tenants including J.C. Penney, Target, Vons, Kohl’s, PetSmart, 24 Hour Fitness and Panera Bread.

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. — Kohl’s reported that its first quarter diluted earnings per share increased 14% to 73 cents, in line with Citi and Stifel analysts expectations and with the company's updated guidance that EPS would be toward the high-end of 68 cents to 73 cents (provided on May 5). Net income for the quarter was $211 million, compared with $199 million (64 cents per diluted share) a year ago. Net sales were $4.2 billion, an increase of 3.1% for the quarter. Comparable-store sales for the quarter increased 1.3%.