Department Store

Seattle — Nordstrom has announced plans to open a Nordstrom Rack at Mercer Mall near Princeton, N.J. Plans call for the approximately 35,000-sq.-ft. store to open in the spring of 2015.

Mercer Mall is owned and managed by Federal Realty Investment Trust www.federalrealty.com. The new store will add to the current tenant line up, which includes T.J.Maxx, Bed Bath & Beyond, DSW and Shop Rite.

Despite severe weather that caused a 0.7% decrease in January sales, Stein Mart looks like it will report its seventh consecutive quarter of comparable-store sales increases when it closes the fourth quarter.

January sales were fueled by strong sales in linens, ladies' boutique and gifts, while jewelry, ladies' sportswear and men's performed lower than the chain. Geographically, January sales were strongest in Florida and the West, while most other areas experienced comparable sales declines due to winter storms combined with record cold weather.

Atlanta – Supply chain technology provider Manhattan Associates Inc. both signed and expanded implementation agreements with a number of retail clients during fourth quarter 2013. New retail clients signed during the quarter include Arcadia Group, Body Central Stores, Desigual, and Woodcraft Supply.

In addition, Manhattan expanded relationships with existing retail customers such as Aldi, Belk, Cornerstone Brands, Devanlay SA (Lacoste), HEB Grocery, Phillips-Van Heusen, and Toys "R" Us.

Foothill Ranch, Calif. – The Wet Seal Inc. reported declines in net and same-store sales for the fourth quarter and full fiscal year 2013, compared to the same periods in the prior year. During the fourth quarter, Wet Seal reported net sales of $122.8 million, down 22.8%, and a 16.5% drop in same-store sales.

Menomonee Falls, Wis. – Kohl's Corp on Thursday lowered its profit forecast for the fourth quarter after the retailer reported a 2% decrease in same-store sales in January.

Combined November and December same-store sales rose 0.8%, but the company said January sales were significantly lower than planned as a result of lower traffic and low levels of clearance merchandise.

New York — Juice press has announced plans to open five new locations in New York City in the spring and summer of this year. The locations include Chinatown, Tribeca, Midtown, Bridgehampton and the World Financial Center.

The new locations will bring the juice press total to 19.

As if the retail industry weren’t challenging enough, those operating stores in California are facing a growing number of lawsuits related to an operational consideration known as suitable seating.

New York -- International sales from U.S. online retailers will jump from $11 billion in 2014 to almost $50 billion by 2020, which would make up 16% of the overall U.S. online retail market, according to a new report by OC&C Strategy Consultants.