Department Store

New York City -- Spencer Gifts, a mainstay of malls across North America, has leased its first-ever location in Manhattan. The 60-year-old chain operates more than 600 stores in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

As one of Spencer’s few free-standing locations, the store, located downtown near New York University, encompasses over 1,840 sq. ft. on the ground floor. It is due  to open in advance of the holiday season.

Walmart International sales increased 7.1% to $27.8 billion in the second quarter and all countries produced sales growth, except Japan, when measured on a constant currency basis. Profitability didn’t improve as quickly. Operating profit was up 0.5% to nearly $1.3 billion, but if some one time charges are excluded the growth rate picks up to 5.6%.

San Francisco -- Gap reported Thursday that profit for the quarter ended July 30 dropped 19% to $189 million, compared with $234 million in the year-ago period.

The retailer, which operates the Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic banners, cited aggressive merchandise pricing reductions for the profit decline. Results beat analysts’ earnings expectations, but the declines still raised concerns about Gap’s performance in the upcoming fall and holiday shopping seasons.

SAN FRANCISCO — Gap Inc. reported that net sales for the second quarter of fiscal year 2011, which ended July 30, increased 2% to $3.39 billion compared with $3.32 billion for the second quarter last year. The company’s second quarter comparable sales, which include associated comparable online sales, were down 2% compared with a 1% increase in the second quarter last year. For the second quarter of fiscal year 2011, online sales positively impacted comparable sales for Gap Inc. by 2 percentage points.

New York City -- Barnes & Noble revealed late Thursday that media conglomerate Liberty Media has acquired a stake in the bookseller for $204 million.

The move, while celebrated by Barnes & Noble, is thought to be a disappointment for investors, who wanted the John C. Malone-controlled Liberty Media to buy Barnes & Noble outright. Liberty’s current investments include Starz Entertainment, home shopping channel QVC and the Atlanta Braves baseball team.

New York City -- Aeropostale reported Wednesday that net income for its second quarter plummeted 93% to $2.94 million, from $43.6 million in the year-ago period.

Sales declined 5% to $468.2 million and same-store sales dropped 14%.

The company revised its third quarter forecast downward.

VERNON, Calif. — True Religion Apparel has announced that Lynne Koplin has been named president of the company effective immediately.

Koplin joined the company in January 2010 as COO. Prior to joining the company, and since July 2005, she was the president women’s division, of Tommy Bahama, a subsidiary of Oxford Industries, and before that worked for a number of apparel and retail companies.

Indianapolis -- Electronics and appliances retailer Hhgregg said Friday it will open 14 new stores in the Chicago area on Sept. 15.

Chicago is a new market for Hhgregg, and with the opening of 14 new stores, it will become the company’s largest market.