Department Store

Auburn, Calif. -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said it has leased retail space in Auburn, Calif., at Auburn Village to Blue Moon Apparel.

Opening its third women’s apparel location, Blue Moon Apparel has leased 1,400 sq. ft. of space and will open in June.

The 134,000-sq.-ft. shopping center is anchored by Bel Air grocery store alongside national retailers such as CVS/pharmacy, Dollar Tree and Subway.
 

Plano, Texas -- J.C. Penney Co. reported Monday that its first-quarter net income rose 6.7% amid cost-cutting and improved sales. The department store chain also raised its full-year earnings profit guidance.

The company on Monday reported net income of $64 million for the three months ended April 30, up from $60 million in the same period last year.

Target ranked 49th on a list of the nation’s 100 largest online retailers based on an annual assessment conducted by the research firm ForeSee Results. The firm said that customer satisfaction with e-tailers is at an all time high with an overall median score of 78 on a scale of 100. Target scored a 78 compared with top-ranked Amazon.com at 86 and bottom ranked RueLaLa.com at 70. The company could make a major move up the ranking by this time next year as a major relaunch of Target.com is planned for this fall just as millions of shopper head online for holiday shopping.

I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but it seems like you can’t pick up a paper or click a mouse lately without reading about some big box retailer rolling out its smaller store format. Target has its new 60,000-square-foot CityTarget concept, while Walmart has Walmart Neighborhood Market and Walmart Express stores. It seems like everyone is downsizing.

LONDON — Wal-Mart Stores' Asda division Asda confirmed that it was exploring opportunities to franchise its George at Asda range in markets overseas.

The company expects to announce its first overseas franchising partner in the next few months with the intention of establishing a small number of pilot stores in the Middle East in the first half of 2012.

George currently accounts for around half of Asda’s general merchandise sales and is already a growing global brand through Walmart stores in seven countries worldwide, the company reported.

New York City -- Dillard’s will pay $50,000 and provide additional, unspecified relief to settle an age discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Triangle Business Journal reported.

PHILADELPHIA — Urban Outfitters announced net income of $39 million, or earnings per diluted share of 23 cents for the first quarter ended April 30, compared with net income of $53 million, or earnings per diluted share of 31 cents.

Total company net sales rose by 9% over the same quarter last year to $524 million. Comparable retail segment net sales, which includes direct-to-consumer channels, decreased 1% for the quarter while comparable store net sales decreased 5% for the quarter. 

Houston -- The Men's Wearhouse surprised more than 14,000 employees with pizza delivery to every store across North America. To thank employees for their hard work and dedication, more than 42,400 slices of pizza were delivered to more than 1,200 Men’s Wearhouse, MW Cleaners, and K&G Fashion Superstore locations in the United States and Moores Clothing for Men stores in Canada.