Discount Store

Phoenix -- Cole Real Estate Investments announced Monday that it has signed leases totaling approximately 278,000 sq. ft. at Cole-related retail properties through the first half of 2011.

The leases consist of approximately 129,000 sq. ft. of new leases and approximately 149,000 sq. ft. in renewals, bringing the occupancy rate for Cole’s portfolio of more than 1,450 properties to 97.3%.

Pleasanton, Calif. -- Ross Stores said Tuesday that it will simultaneously open 12 stores on Oct. 8, all located in the greater Chicago area.

The new Ross Dress for Less stores will open simultaneously in Algonquin, Arlington Heights, Bloomingdale, Crystal Lake, Matteson, Naperville, Niles, Orland Park, Rockford, Schaumburg, Skokie and South Elgin.

"We are excited to be entering the Chicago area, which will significantly expand our national footprint," said Michael Balmuth, vice chairman and CEO, Ross Stores.

Baltimore -- Oak Brook, Ill.-based Inland Western Retail Real Estate Trust announced that Reisterstown Plaza Associates LLC, one of its wholly owned subsidiaries, has signed a lease with Big Lots to occupy a 35,000-sq.-ft. location at Reisterstown Road Plaza in Baltimore.

The Big Lots is slated to open this fall and brings the center to more than 92% leased.
 

Naperville, Ill. -- Centro Properties Group US announced that Gordmans opened a 50,000-sq.-ft. store at Westridge Court, located in Naperville, Ill.
 
The new discount store opened on July 29, joining recently opened retailers Savers thrift store (38,490 sq. ft.) and Dots (4,466 sq. ft.).

Westridge Court is owned by New York City-based Centro.
 

NEW YORK — Discount stores will continue to dominate as the destination for the majority of consumers’ back-to-school dollars this year, with office supply stores also remaining strong, according to a survey by Accenture on parents’ back-to-school shopping plans. The majority of parents (59%) will spend between $100 and $500 on back-to-school shopping this year, with 21% of consumers saying they plan to spend more than $500 this year. That’s down from 28% in 2010, indicating a decline in spending on the big ticket items for school.

New York City -- Discount stores will continue to dominate as the destination for the majority of consumers’ back-to-school dollars this year, with office supply stores also remaining strong, according to a survey by Accenture on parents’ back-to-school shopping plans. The majority of parents (59%) will spend between $100 and $500 on back-to-school shopping this year, with 21% of consumers saying they plan to spend more than $500 this year. That’s down from 28% in 2010, indicating a decline in spending on the big ticket items for school.

Shopper marketing conversations these days may be dominated by digital strategies, but the time worn free-standing insert continues to dominate as the distribution vehicle of choice when it comes to coupons.

FSI’s accounted for 89.6% of the 167 billion coupons distributed during the first half of the year, versus 87.3% for the same period the prior year, while digital coupons accounted for less than 1% of total volume, according to the U.S. mid-year 2011 Consumer Packaged Goods Coupon Facts Report released by NCH Marketing Services Inc., a Valassis company.

Chattanooga, Tenn. -- CBL & Associates Properties and Horizon Group Properties announced Friday that they will open The Outlet Shoppes at Oklahoma City on Aug. 5, fully leased with 83 stores.

Half the stores are new to Oklahoma City.

The center is scheduled to open to the public with such designer outlets as Nike, Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th, Polo Ralph Lauren, Brooks Brothers, Guess, Chico’s, Coach, Banana Republic, DKNY, J. Crew, Michael Kors, Tommy Hilfiger, Under Armour, Levi’s and Carters.