Discount Store

New York -- A group of 11 large U.S. retailers that report same-store sales results each month had a generally strong showing in July. However, Thomson Reuters analysis indicates significant discounting helped drive an overall 4.4% increase, more than double the 1.4% same-store sales rise recorded in July of last year.

Houston — Jones Lang LaSalle has announced the closing of the sale of The Shops at Bella Terra, a 308,828-sq.-ft. power center in Houston’s Grand Parkway corridor. The JLL Capital Markets Group also secured acquisition financing with Wells Fargo and additional equity from Heitman on behalf of the buyer, Dunhill Partners

Specialty retailer Five Below is searching for a seasoned retail executive to fill the role of president to execute an aggressive growth strategy following the departure of chief operating officer David Johnston.

Webster, Texas -- Seattle-based Nordstrom will add a new Nordstrom Rack location in the Houston area, opening a 31,000-sq.-ft. store in spring 2015 at Baybrook Square in Webster, Texas.

The Baybrook Square Rack will be the fourth Houston-area off-price store for Nordstrom. In July the company announced plans to open a third Rack location at Willowbrook Mall in fall 2014.

The new Nordstrom Rack will move into a space currently occupied by DSW, which is relocating within the center. Baybrook Square is managed by Fidelis Realty Partners.

Washington, D.C. -- In a settlement agreement with the U.S. Labor Department, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has agreed to improve safety conditions for employees who use trash compactors and cleaning chemicals at 2,857 Walmart and Sam’s Club stores in 28 states.

The retailer will also pay a $190,000 fine to fix hazards uncovered during an Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspection at a store in Rochester, N.Y.
 

Philadelphia - David Johnston, COO of Five Below, Inc., will leave his position at the company effective Aug. 31. In the wake of his departure, the company is seeking a president who will report directly to co-founder and CEO Thomas Vellios.

New York -- Morris-Floyd Capital Partners has acquired the 159,861-sq.-ft. Wolflin Village shopping center in Amarillo, Texas. Anchored by Talbot’s, Office Depot and Shepler’s Boots’n Jeans, the center ranks as Morris-Floyd’s ninth acquisition. CBRE represented the seller, Dunhill Partners, which acquired the property in 2009 from Weingarten Realty Investors www.weingarten.com.

The center is 97% leased

Framingham, Mass. – Discount retailers TJ Maxx and Saks Off Fifth outlets are reportedly planning to enter the online sales arena this year. According to Reuters, TJ Maxx parent company TJX Cos. will be making its second attempt at launching a TJ Maxx e-commerce site after a failed attempt in 2005 that cost the company $15 million.