Department Store

New York City -- Confidence among U.S. consumers increased more than forecast in November to the highest level in five months. The Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan final index of consumer sentiment rose to 71.6 during the month, from 67.7 in October. Economists had projected a reading of 69.5.

The report came as retailers prepared for the Black Friday shopping onslaught, the official start of the holiday shopping season.

New York City -- Tiffany & Co. reported a 27% gain in third-quarter profit, topping analysts’ estimates, as sales rose globally. The jewelry retailer raised its full-year earnings forecast.

Net income rose to $55.1 million, from $43.3 million in the year-ago period, better than analysts had expected.

Cincinnati -- Phillips Edison and Co.'s Fund IV announced its acquisition of Marketplace Shopping Center, in Independence, Mo.

The property was purchased from Centro Properties Group and Ingrid Long and Drew Quinn of Grubb & Ellis represented the Seller on the transaction. The 241,682-sq.-ft shopping center is anchored by Price Chopper.

Disney Store has opened its largest and most ambitious store to date -- smack in the middle of Manhattan’s Times Square. The 20,000-sq.ft., two-level Disney emporium is about five times bigger than most Disney stores, with a layout that is divided by the company’s most popular franchises.

Boston -- The Gymboree Corp. and Bain Capital Partners, on Tuesday announced the successful completion of the company by affiliates of Bain Capital for $65.40 per share in cash, or approximately $1.8 billion.

As of Oct. 30, Gymboree operated 1,049 retail stores: 636 Gymboree stores (595 in the United States; 37 in Canada, two in Australia, and two in Puerto Rico); 148 Gymboree Outlet stores; 122 Janie and Jack shops; and 143 Crazy  stores in the United States.

Naples, Fla. -- Beachwood, Ohio-based Developers Diversified Realty Corp. said that Hhgregg has joined Carillon Place, a 283,238-sq.-ft. community center in Naples, Fla., and Peach Street Square, a 676,245-sq.-ft. shopping center in Erie, Pa.

Joining national tenants Walmart Neighborhood Market, Bealls Outlet, T.J.Maxx, Ross Dress for Less and OfficeMax, Hhgregg opened a 36,459-sq.-ft. store at Carillon Place.

The 28,152-sq.-ft. Hhgregg store at Peach Street Square joins Lowe's, Home Depot, Kohl's, Cinemark and PetSmart.

New York City -- J. Crew Group is close to an agreement to be bought by TPG Capital and Leonard Green & Partners for about $2.8 billion, according to reports by the Associated Press, Bloomberg and other news groups.

TPG and Leonard Green would pay $43.50 a share in cash, or 16% more than J. Crew’s closing share price yesterday, according to various reports.