Department Store

New York -- Pinterest, more than Facebook or YouTube, is supplying the greatest percentage of downstream traffic to retail sites, according to new research from Experian Marketing Services. The company’s 2014 “Digital Marketer: Benchmark and Trend Report” also reveals that after visiting Facebook, YouTube or Pinterest, consumers go to Amazon.com more frequently than any other retailer website.

Here’s how the downstream traffic from social media sites to retail sites shapes up in the Experian report:

Hoffman Estates, Ill. – Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores Inc. opens a new store in Webster, Texas, on March 28. Each Sears Outlet Store, on average, offers shoppers more than 18,000-sq.-ft. of retail space.

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Bentonville, Ark. – Wal-Mart Stores Inc. filed suit with the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas suing Visa for $5 billion, alleging that the financial services company overcharges on the credit and debit card swipe fees it charges retailer.

The suit claims that Visa colluded with banks to fix swipe fees between January 2004 and November 2012, forcing it to raise prices and reduce customer service, resulting in lost retail sales.

New York -- Francesca’s, Maurices and tween/teen fave Five Below are in an expansion mode.

Francesca’s, based in Houston, will open about 85 stores this year, down slightly from 91 openings last year.   

Woodbridge, Va. — Potomac Mills, the largest outlet and value retail shopping destination in the Washington, D.C., area has appointed Sam Hosn as its new general manager. Paul Fickinger, executive VP of property management for The Mills, a Simon Company, made the announcement.

As general manager, Hosn will manage the day-to-day operations of Potomac Mills including leasing, contract negotiations, staff supervision, office management, budgeting, tenant relations and marketing.

The Woodlands, Texas – Conn’s Inc. reported net income of $27.73 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014, up 57% from $17.66 million in the same quarter the prior fiscal year. The retailer intends to open 15 to 20 new stores during fiscal 2015.

Net sales grew 45% to $301.63 million from $250.34 million, and same-store sales increase 33.4%. Conn’s said significant sales growth was reported across all major product categories during the quarter, and the company opened six new stores in that time.

Virginia Beach, Va. — Divaris Real Estate has announced the signing of two new leases for a combined 7,700 sq. ft. and one lease renewal for 3,612 sq. ft. in the greater Richmond area.

Sherwin Williams signed a new lease for 6,000 sq. ft. of retail space in the Town Hall Shopping Center in Colonial Heights, Va. DRE’s Richmond office represented the tenant in the transaction.