Discount Store

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Stein Mart reported total sales for the five-week period ended July 6, of $109 million, an increase of 2.6% from $106.3 for the prior-year period. Comparable store sales increased 6.5%.

Austin, Texas -- Research results released Thursday by coupon site Offers.com found that 67% of U.S. parents with school-aged children plan to spend more than $100 per child on back-to-school shopping this year.

Wenatchee, Wash. -- Sportsman’s warehouse has signed a lease for a 49,000-sq.-ft. former Sears location at the Wenatchee Valley Mall in Wenatchee, Wash., according to Vintage Real Estate, which brokered the deal.

The new Sportsman’s will open in the spring of 2014. Sears will open a 10,813-sq.-ft. new format store in the mall.

New York -- Walmart said it was walking away from its plans to build three stores in Washington, D.C., after the city council passed a bill on late Wednesday setting a higher minimum wage for large retailers.

”This was a difficult decision for us — and unfortunate news for most D.C. residents — but the Council has forced our hand,”  said Wal-Mart spokesman Steven Restivo in a statement released after vote, which passed 8 to 5.

New York -- U.S. retailers' June sales suggest overall consumer spending is improving, even though lower-end shoppers are holding back on nonessential purchases. Same-store sales increased 3.9% in June compared to the year-ago period, according to a preliminary tally of 12 retailers by the International Council of Shopping Centers. The association had expected a 3% to 3.5% increase.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Fred's Super Dollar reported $187.7 million in sales for the five weeks ended July 6, up 3% as compared to the same period a year ago. Comparable store sales for the month increased 4.5%.

Evansville, Ind. -- Value-priced footwear retailer Shoe Carnival will grand-open 12 stores in 11 different cities in July, bringing its store count to 367 stores in 32 states and Puerto Rico.

“We are excited to be growing rapidly across the country,” said Todd Beurman, senior VP marketing. New stores will open in: Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Charlotte, N.C.; Chicago; Lansing, Mich.; St. Louis; Greenville, N.C.; Cincinnati; Atlanta; Phoenix; Louisville, Ky.; and Grand Rapids, Mich.
 

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Former Sam’s Club executive Jason Reiser is heading to Family Dollar to be the company's SVP of merchandising. He replaces John Scanlon, who left the company at the end of March.

Family Dollar announced the key changes to its merchandising organization on the heels of better-than-expected third quarter results for fiscal 2013 ended June 1.