Department Store

New York City -- Aeropostale announced that, effective immediately, Thomas P. Johnson, co-CEO, has been named CEO. Mindy C. Meads, who has served as co-CEO along with Johnson since February 2010, will leave the company to pursue other interests. She will stay for a short period to ensure a smooth transition.

By Cynthia Cohen, twitter.com/StrategyDiva

Houston -- Centro Properties Group said Tuesday that Fashion Metro has opened a 9,810-sq.-ft. store at Northtown Plaza, in Houston.

Centro Properties Group, based in New York City, owns Northtown Plaza.

Seattle -- Nordstrom plans to open a new Rack discount store next fall in the Portland suburb of Tigard, Ore.

The retailer said the new 45,000-sq.-ft. t store will open in Cascade Plaza in Tigard, about a mile away from a full-line Nordstrom store in the Washington Square shopping center.

Bensalem, Pa. -- Charming Shoppes reported a smaller loss for its third fiscal quarter on Wednesday, helped by lower operating expenses and competitive promotions that attracted customers. The chain posted a net loss of $18.8 million for the period ended Oct. 30, compared with a loss of $48.4 million, in the prior-year period.

Revenue increased 1% to $463.6 million from $460.2 million, with online sales up 40%. Same-store sales rose 3%.
 

Pleasant Hill, Calif. -- X Team International said Tuesday that Walnut Creek, Calif.-based partner John Cumbelich & Associates arranged the sale of Downtown Pleasant Hill, a 345,687-sq.-ft. community shopping center in Pleasant Hill, Calif.

Downtown Pleasant Hill is anchored by Century Theatres, Lucky Supermarket, Bed Bath & Beyond, Ross Dress For Less, Michaels and Borders.

The buyer was Walnut Creek-based Loja Group, and the seller was a joint venture between Prudential and Developers Diversified Realty.