Discount Store

By Craig Johnson, [email protected]

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. — Dollar General announced that it is going to head-to-head with toy retailers and discounters alike by offering more than 300 toys for $5 or less.

"Customers will find the toys their children want at great prices at Dollar General," said Todd Vasos, Dollar General's chief merchandising officer. "We've worked hard all year to bring our shoppers an exciting toy assortment this season. Our toy department features many new toys and twice the number of licensed toys compared to previous years."

Atwater, Calif. -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said that Dollar Tree has leased retail space in Atwater, Calif., at Applegate Ranch Shopping Center.

Dollar Tree leased 9,264 sq. ft. and is now open. The 464,136-sq.-ft. shopping center is anchored by a Super Target, Walmart, Marshalls and Petco.
 

San Francisco -- Four months after the Supreme Court tossed out a huge class-action lawsuit by female Walmart employees who claimed they were discriminated against by the world’s largest retailer, a smaller, regionalized group of employees has regrouped to file another gender-bias claim against Wal-Mart Stores.

Walmart is facing some stiff competion for toy sales with Dollar General, as the company announced that it is going to head-to-head with toy retailers and discounters alike by offering more than 300 toys for $5 or less.

Hamilton Township, N.J. -- North Plainfield, N.J.-based Levin Management said Thursday that its year-long, multi-million dollar renovation of 59-year-old Hamilton Plaza is nearing completion. The renovation of the 184,272-sq.-ft. center, located in Hamilton Twp., N.J., includes significant upgrades to the common areas, and the addition of two pad sites and a 10,000-sq.-ft. end cap.

New York City -- Brixmor Property Group said Wednesday it has appointed Thomas W. Litzler as senior VP, central region.

Based in Chicago, Litzler will serve as the asset manager for the region, directing leasing, property operations and redevelopment activity for 11.7 million sq. ft. of community and neighborhood shopping centers in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri and Wisconsin.

Citigroup found that toy prices at both Walmart and Target fell by 4% and that the price gap between the two retailers on toys has narrowed since its first survey.

According to Ciitgroup, retail prices of a basket of “hot” toys for holiday 2011 are now 30 bps cheaper at Walmart than at Target, compared with 50 bps cheaper at Walmart in its previous survey. However, taking into account Target’s 5% rewards discount, the basket of toys became 470 bps more expensive at Walmart, compared with 450 bps more expensive in the previous survey.