Department Store

Hingham, Mass. -- The Talbots reported Thursday a narrower-than-expected fiscal fourth-quarter loss, and said it plans to expand its store re-image program to improve traffic. The chain also it expects to close as many as 100 stores over the next two years.

Talbots lost $2.8 million in the quarter ended Jan. 29, compared with a loss of $1.5 million in the year-ago period.

Net sales fell 7.4% to $292.6 million, compared with $315.9 million in the same period last year. Same-store sales dropped 7.3%.

New York City -- FAO Schwarz is seeking to extend the lease for its flagship store in Manhattan, almost three years after the landlord Boston Properties said the retailer would likely have to leave, Bloomberg reported. The store is located in the General Motors Building, on Fifth Avenue at the corner of 58th Street.

Greenwood Springs, Ind. -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said it has leased retail space in Greenwood Springs, Ind., to two new tenants at Greenwood Springs shopping center.

Cannoli Queen has leased 1,400 sq. ft. of restaurant space and Superior Discount Liquors has leased 2,800 sq. ft. of retail space. The businesses are slated to open in the spring.

The 292,827-sq.-ft. shopping center is anchored by Walmart and Gander Mountain alongside national retailers such as Sport Clips and Buffalo Wild Wings.

Plano, Texas -- J.C. Penney has been named the No. 1 retailer on Diversity's annual ranking of "Top 50 Companies for Diversity," which recognizes leading organizations for best practices in diversity management.

It is the second consecutive year that the company has earned its place on the list, moving up 11 spots to No. 35 overall.

New York City -- Prudential Douglas Eilliman’s Retail Group announced that in less than two weeks after arranging the sale of a multi-level retail condominium at 1086 Madison Avenue, the retail sales and leasing team of Faith Hope Consolo, chairman, and Joseph Aquino, executive VP, have leased the boutique space to luxury handbag and accessories importer Muska Milano. 

Cherry Hill, N.J. -- Philadelphia-based Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust said that its Cherry Hill Mall property, located in Cherry Hill, N.J., will welcome three new retailers this spring and summer.

Lids Locker Room opened in March, and two shoe retailers, Traffic and Clarks, are slated to open this summer.

Mississauga, Ontario -- Tb!s the bargain shop, a leading Canadian discount store chain, announced that Beryl “Jack” Buley has been appointed president and CEO, effective immediately. Tb!s operates 238 stores in Canada.

Buley’s promotion is designed to position Tb!s to continue to expand its retail footprint and gain share in the Canadian market. Former president and CEO, Michael Roellinghoff, will assume the role of vice chairman of the board.

Palto Alto, Calif. -- Personalization of the in-store customer experience will be a key objective for retailers over the next two years, according to two new Aberdeen Group reports sponsored by HP.

According to the 100 senior retail executives surveyed from industries such as apparel, grocery and department stores, 76% do not possess the technology tools or the business processes for executing web, catalog or special orders from stores. This challenge is being fueled by rising consumer expectations of rich, multimedia in-store shopping experiences.