Department Store

Pittsburgh -- Dick's Sporting Goods reported Tuesday that net income for the first quarter rose to $37.5 million, compared with $26.2 million a year earlier.

Net sales increased 6.3% to $1.1 billion. Same-store sales rose 2.1%.

The retailer will open 34 new Dick's Sporting Goods stores in 2011, as well as remodel 14 existing locations. It also plans to open approximately three Golf Galaxy stores and relocate one Golf Galaxy store this year.

San Jose, Calif. -- Chicago-based General Growth Properties announced that Fresco World Market is slated to open at Eastridge Mall, located in Santa Clara County, Calif., by September.

Fresco will take over a former Circuit City building and will feature the largest produce and seafood departments in the county and the Bay area.

A GGP property, Eastridge Mall is anchored by J.C. Penney, Macy's, Sears, Barnes & Noble, Bed Bath & Beyond, Sports Chalet and AMC Theatres.

Voorhees, N.J. -- Philadelphia-based Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust announced Monday that Voorhees Town Hall has opened at the mixed-use Voorhees Town Center, located in Voorhees, N.J.

On Monday, more than 50 Voorhees Township employees moved in to the new municipal office, which is located on the upper level of the mall across from Macy’s and also features a street-level entrance.

NEW YORK — Saks Inc. announced reported net income of $28.4 million, or 16 cents per diluted share, for the first quarter. For the prior year first quarter, the company recorded net income of $18.8 million, or 11 cents per diluted share. 

Stephen Sadove, chairman and CEO, noted, "I am very pleased with our first quarter results. Our improved year-over-year performance was driven by a 10.2% comparable-store sales increase and continued gross margin rate improvement."

Columbus, Ohio -- DSW announced Tuesday that it has Todd S. Cordell as senior VP human resources, effectively immediately.

Cordell will be responsible for all HR activities in support of DSW Stores, DSW.com, and the DSW Leased Business Division. 

Cordell was previously VP human resources for Starbucks Coffee Co.

Gadsden, Ala. -- Philadelphia-based Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust said that The Children’s Place is set to open a new location at Gadsden Mall in May.

The nearly 3,000-sq.-ft. retailer will be located next to Kay Jewelers, and will be the retailer’s first in the region.

Belfast, Ireland -- A report in the Belfast Telegraph Tuesday said that Wal-Mart-owned supermarket chain Asda has released plans to open its first George stores overseas as it looks to turn the fashion label into a global retail brand.

The chain has set up a team at George's Lutterworth, Leicestershire base to explore entering into franchise arrangements for the first time. According to the report, George expects to announce its first partner in the Middle East in the next few months, followed by store openings in the first half of 2012.

New York City -- Centro Properties Group, based in New York City, announced that two DSW stores recently opened in Connecticut; in North Haven, a 24,824-sq.-ft. store opened, and in Manchester, a 20,000-sq.-ft. store opened.

The North Haven store is located at North Haven Crossing, and the Manchester store is located at Slater Street, near Buckland Hills Mall.