Discount Store

Pleasanton, Calif. -- Ross Stores said Thursday that profit for the quarter ended April 30 surged 22% to $173 million, compared with $142.3 million a year earlier.

Sales increased 7% to $2.1 billion, and same-store sales rose 3% on top of a 10% gain in 2010.

MINNEAPOLIS — First-quarter sales at Target increased 2.8% to $15.6 billion, and same-store sales increased 2% the company reported. The modest sales growth translated into earnings per share that advance 9.8% to 99 cents, four cent better than analysts’ consensus estimate of 95 cents, and net income that increased 2.7% to $689 million. Share repurchase activity contributed to the earnings per share growth as Target spent $819 million during the first quarter to buy back 15.4 million shares at an average price of $53.32.

Beachwood, Ohio -- Shopping center owner and developer Developers Diversified Realty Corp. said Wednesday it will raze Terrell Plaza shopping center in San Antonio, Texas, and an existing two-story enclosed mall at Tamarac Square in Denver, Colo., to accommodate Target Corp.’s construction of two new stores.

DDR said it intends to redevelop adjacent retail space at both centers.

Minneapolis -- Despite weakened sales in the first quarter ended April 30, Target Corp. saw net income rise 2.7% on the strength of its credit-card business.

The retailer reported on Wednesday net income of $689 million in the first quarter, up from $671 million in the year-ago period.

Total revenue rose 2.2% to $15.94 billion. Same-store sales rose 2%.

Analysts expected revenue of $16.02 billion.

Seattle --Nordstrom announced it will open a 42,222-sq.-ft. Nordstrom Rack at Westfield Plaza Bonita shopping center in National City, Calif. The new store will open on Oct. 27.

The new Nordstrom Rack will be the company's third Rack store in the greater San Diego area, joining Westfield Mission Valley in San Diego and Grand Plaza in San Marcos.
 

Auburn, Calif. -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said it has leased retail space in Auburn, Calif., at Auburn Village to Blue Moon Apparel.

Opening its third women’s apparel location, Blue Moon Apparel has leased 1,400 sq. ft. of space and will open in June.

The 134,000-sq.-ft. shopping center is anchored by Bel Air grocery store alongside national retailers such as CVS/pharmacy, Dollar Tree and Subway.
 

New York City -- Saks’ Off 5th outlet division announced Tuesday that it plans to open four new stores this year – Kansas City, Oklahoma City, Northbrook, Ill., and Charleston, S.C.

Additionally, the Off 5th arm said it will open a new store at the Market at Town Center in Sugar Land, Texas, that will replace its store located at The Fountains in Stafford, Texas.
 

Framingham, Mass. -- TJX Cos. reported Tuesday that net income for the first quarter plummeted 20% on the closing of its A.J. Wright stores, but strong sales buoyed the retailer’s full-year forecasts.

TJX earned $266 million in the quarter ended April 30, compared with $331.4 million in the year-ago period. Revenue increased 4% to $5.22 billion, surpassing Wall Street's estimate of $5.14 billion.

Same-store sales increased 2%.

TJX raised the low end of forecast for full-year adjusted earnings.