Discount Store

New York -- Kohl’s, Nordstrom and Target  ranked first in their categories in a new survey by Harris Interactive The 2012 Harris Poll EquiTrend (EQ) study surveyed Americans about brands across several retail segments, revealing which brands prompted them to open their hearts—and consequently—their pocketbooks.

Las Vegas -- Irvine, Calif.-based Passco Cos., said it has negotiated a $25.8 million loan to refinance Silver City Plaza, a 41,583-sq.-ft. neighborhood shopping center in Las Vegas.

The new loan was arranged with Cantor Commercial Real Estate, an affiliate of Cantor Fitzgerald, and was uniquely structured to accommodate a challenged market.

Indianapolis -- Simon Property Group announced that Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th will open a total of seven new stores in the next two years in its Premium Outlets division, including new centers and existing centers.

Austin, Texas -- NetSpend Holdings said Thursday it has entered into a distribution agreement with Family Dollar to sell the NetSpend Visa prepaid debit card at the discounter’s store locations nationwide.

Family Dollar and NetSpend plan to make the prepaid cards available in more than 7,200 locations beginning this month, NetSpend officials said.
 

Goodlettsville,Tenn. — Dollar General has awarded grants to more than 593 nonprofit organizations, libraries and schools through the chain's literacy foundation.

Little Rock, Ark. -- Dillard’s said Friday that net income for the quarter ended April 28 rose to $95 million, from $76.7 million in the year-ago period, setting a company record for profit increases.

Sales rose to $1.55 billion, from $1.47 billion. Same-store sales climbed 5%, the department store retailer’s seventh consecutive quarter of comp increases.

Dillard’s said it saw its greatest strength in the first quarter from the central region of the United States, followed by the eastern and the western regions.

Wal-Mart Stores fell to the number two spot on the Fortune 500 list after holding the number one spot for two years. It was ousted by Exxon Mobil, which benefitted from rising oil prices.To see the full list, click here.

Omaha, Neb. -- Midwestern discount department store retailer Gordman’s Stores said Friday that profit for the quarter ended April 28 rose 10.6% to $8.1 million, compared with $7.3 million in the year-ago period.

Sales rose 13.8% to $133.9 million, from $117.7 million. Same-store sales climbed 4.7%.

“We are pleased with our overall performance and remain confident in our ability to realize our sales and profit guidance for fiscal 2012," said Jeff Gordman, president and CEO.