Discount Store

New York -- Many retailers reported better-than-expected results in July as warm weather and clearance sales drew shoppers into stores. Thomson Reuters reported that three-quarters of retailers reported results beat expectations. Costco Wholesale Corp., Target Corp., Limited Brands and Gap Inc. all reported gains above expectations.

PLEASANTON, Calif. and FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — Retailers of discounted apparel should feel pretty good heading into back-to-school season, as shown by the strong monthly performance of Ross Stores and TJX Cos. With both delivering another month of comps growth, it’s clear value-oriented stores remain popular with consumers.

Sales at Ross increased 12% to $709 million for the month, up from $635 million for same period last year. Comparable-store sales for the month grew 7% on top of a 7% increase last year.

Glen Burnie, Md. -- Jones Lang LaSalle said that it has been awarded the leasing and management of Centre at Glen Burnie, a 419,858-sq.-ft. retail center located in Glen Burnie, Md.

Developed in 1963, the Centre at Glen Burnie is 85% leased and anchored by Target, Hhgregg, Office Depot, Dick's Sporting Goods and Toys R Us.  Other tenants include Chick-fil-A, FootLocker, GNC, Payless ShoeSource, Radio Shack, Five Guys, Famous Footwear and Dots.
 

New York -- Helped by hot weather and clearance sales, many retailers reported solid results in July, a month that can be a tepid lead-up to the back-to-school shopping season.

Some of the strongest showings in the month were in the department store category, as those reporting all showed July gains.

Macy’s led the pack with a 4.1% same-store sales rise. Total sales increased 5.1% to $1.7 billion over the four-week period.

Goodlettsville, Tenn. -- Dollar General Corp. announced it is supporting the American Association of Retired Persons’ “Work Reimagined” program and the 50-plus worker pledge.

“Work Reimagined” is a social network-based jobs program that connects employers seeking experienced workers with qualified professionals searching for new or more satisfying careers. The site (will leverage the platform of social media site LinkedIn to make the best connections between experienced workers and the best employers.

NAPERVILLE, Ill. — With new clothes and supplies topping the list of what most parents are shopping for during back-to-school season, it makes sense that OfficeMax and Old Navy would join forces to maximize their offerings, delivering savings for customers and sales for them.

Memphis, Tenn. -- Discount-store operator Fred's Inc. said Wednesday that its same-store sales increased 1.2% during the four weeks ended July 28, helped by markdowns that increased customer traffic. The company also raised its earnings guidance for the second quarter, citing a tax settlement with the state of Tennessee.

Total sales for the month rose 5% to $136.7 million.

The Chronicle of Philanthropy is out with its ranking of the leading charitable donors and Target ranked eighth in 2011.

Target donated $146 million in cash and $63 million worth of products last year, according the Chronicle. It is a significant sum that and equates to roughly 4.7% of the retailer’s pretax profits.