Discount Store

Shoppers in many markets have to drive past one of Dollar General’s more than 10,000 stores before they get to their local Walmart, a situation that will intensify in 2013.

Dollar General is opening stores so fast its store count sometimes changes multiple times throughout the day. It surpassed 10,000 units earlier this year and by the end of the company third quarter on November 2, it had opened 479 out of 625 stores planned for 2012. Next year, 635 new units are planned and by the end of next year the company’s store count will be in the vicinity of 11,000 stores.

New York -- Star Avenue Capital announced that it has acquired a minority ownership position in It’Sugar, Deerfield Beach, Fla., a growing specialty candy and gift chain. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Star Avenue is partnering with It’Sugar CEO and founder Jeff Rubin and existing investor Prentice Consumer Partners to provide the resources and strategic guidance to support the brand’s rapid expansion. The company currently has over 50 retail locations across 13 states and four international markets.

Huntsville, Ala. -- Nashville-based Baker Storey McDonald, an X Team International partner, said it has acquired its first property in Huntsville, Ala. The firm purchased Whitesburg Center for $6.7 million.

The 51,943-sq.-ft. shopping center is tenanted by Dollar Tree, Mattress Firm, Cheeburger Cheeburger and Baskin Robbins, among others.

Baker Storey McDonald will manage and lease the center.

Promotional activity among the nation’s leading retailers declined during November aside from several notable exceptions. There was a flurry of intense promotional activity around Thanksgiving weekend, as always, but for the months as a whole the number of inserts distributed by retailers declined 7% and the number of pages declined by 5%.

New York -- Brixmor Property Group said that Sleepy’s will open a 10,000-sq.-ft. store at Carolina Pavilion in Charlotte, N.C., and a 6,150-sq.-ft. store at Franklin Square in Gastonia, N.C.

Brixmor, based in New York City, owns both of the shopping centers.

New York -- The Chase Holiday Pulse on Wednesday revealed that Green Monday, Dec. 10, sales showed a  10.7% year-over-year increase over Green Monday (Dec. 12) in 2011, mainly driven by merchant deals and discounts on popular gift items.

Albany, Ore. -- Vintage Real Estate announced that the company has acquired Heritage Mall, located in Albany, Ore.

The 406,500-sq.-ft. mall features more than 50 major retailers, boutiques and restaurants including Target, Sears, Ross Dress for Less and Old Navy, Maurice’s, rue 21, Zumiez, Famous Footwear, Game Stop and Bath & Body Works. It was remodeled in 2006 and is 50% occupied.

Nanuet, N.Y. -- Brixmor Property Group said that Dress Barn will open a 7,572-sq.-ft. store at Rockland Plaza, located in Nanuet, N.Y.

Brixmor, based in New York City, is the owner of Rockland Plaza.