Discount Store

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Dollar stores continue to thrive in this consumer-conscious economy, and Family Dollar is no exception.

The dollar store chain reported a total sales increase of 9.6% to $2.36 billion for the third quarter, compared with $2.15 billion for the same period last year. Same-store sales rose 5%, helped by increased customer traffic and strong performances in the seasonal, electronics and consumables categories.

Goodlettsville, Tenn. -- Dollar General Corp. said Wednesday it is offering $450 million in senior notes due in 2017.

The retailer said it plans to use the proceeds, along with cash on hand and possible other borrowings, to redeem its outstanding senior unsubordinated notes.

Citigroup, Goldman, Sachs & Co. and KKR are serving as joint book running managers for the offering. BofA Merrill Lynch, Barclays, J.P. Morgan, Wells Fargo Securities, Fifth Third Securities, HSBC, KeyBanc Capital Markets, and US Bancorp are co-managers.

Fort Worth, Texas -- Fort Worth-based Trademark Property Co. said Tuesday that Dick’s Sporting Goods will open at Alliance Town Center, located in North Fort Worth.

The 50,000-sq.-ft. store will anchor a 140,000-sq.-ft. Phase 2 of the center. Construction on Dick’s is scheduled to begin in July with opening set for summer 2013.

Alliance Town Center, currently 800,000 sq. ft., is a joint venture of Hillwood and Trademark, and is part of the 17,000-acre Alliance, Texas, master-planned community.

WABAN, Mass. — Publix, Hy-Vee, H.E.B., Sam's Club, ShopRite, Aldi, Giant Eagle and JCPenney were among the highest-rated companies for customer service, according to new research from the Temkin Group.

Other companies earning top marks included Chick-fil-A, credit unions and Starbucks. Meanwhile, companies with the lowest ratings included Charter Communications, Time Warner Cable, Comcast, Citibank, Qwest, Cigna, and Bank of America.

Edgewater, N.J. -- North Plainfield, N.J.-based Levin Management Corp. announced that HomeGoods, a TJX Cos. banner, will anchor the 100,000-sq.-ft. retail component of Edgewater Harbor, a mixed-use waterfront redevelopment in Edgewater, N.J.

HomeGoods has leased 24,000 sq. ft. and will join newly opened CVS Pharmacy, Moe's Southwest Grill, AT&T, Beach Bum Tanning, Epique Massage and Edgewater Dry Cleaners.

Woodbridge, Va. -- Island-inspired restaurateur Bahama Breeze will make its Virginia debut with a freestanding location at Potomac Mills, the largest outlet and value retail shopping destination in Virginia.

The new location will be adjacent to The Cheesecake Factory and a first-in-market Bobby’s Burger Palace opening this November in a new plaza to be developed on the south side of Potomac Mills.

TOPEKA, Kan. — Payless is reaching out to women with uncommon shoe sizes by offering a wide range of popular styles for the summer season in size 11, 12 and 13 and in wide width options at prices as low as just $15 a pair.

Seattle -- Nordstrom said it will open a Nordstrom Rack at The Fountains at Farah, a new power and lifestyle shopping center in El Paso, Texas. The store will be approximately 35,000-sq. ft. and is scheduled to open in the fall 2013.

The Fountains at Farah, with over 600,000 sq. ft. of retail and restaurant space, is being developed and managed by Centergy Retail LLC, Dallas.