Discount Store

Bronx, N.Y. -- New Rochelle, N.Y.-based Welco Realty Inc., an X Team partner, announced that Daffy’s opened its first store in Bronx, N.Y.  

The retailer opened a store in Bay Plaza Shopping Center, one of the largest strip shopping centers in New York City. Welco Realty negotiated the deal on behalf of the landlord, Prestige Properties & Development Co.  

OBERLIN, Ohio — Walmart and Target are the top go-to retail stores for college students, according to a new study.

Indianapolis -- Simon Property Group Inc. announced that its Premium Outlets division has reached an agreement with the Gila River Indian Community's Wild Horse Pass Development Authority to develop Phoenix Premium Outlets, an upscale outlet shopping center serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale areas. 

New York City -- Discount retailer Syms Corp. was urged by a shareholder to stem losses in its clothing business and sell some of the real estate holdings accumulated by late founder Sy Syms.

According to a Friday report by Bloomberg, Capstone Equities Capital Management LP sent a letter to Syms directors and CEO Marcy Syms on Thursday advocating asset sales, share buybacks and other steps to “enhance shareholder value.” 

Jacksonville, Fla. -- Stein Mart reported Thursday that net income for the first quarter rose to $15.9 million from $14.3 million in 2010.

Sales edged up 0.8% to $303.5 million, and same-store sales increased 1.5%.

The retailer said it is increasing its plan for capital expenditure in 2011 by $5 million to a range of $30 to $35 million. Stein Mart said the increased spending is for POS hardware in all stores toward increasing operational efficiency.

Chesapeake, Va. -- Dollar Tree reported Thursday that net income for the quarter ended April 30 rose 59% to $101 million, compared with $63.6 million in the year-ago period. The 2010 figure included a charge of $26.3 million for a retail inventory accounting change.

The retailer raised its sales and profit forecast for the rest of the year.

Revenue increased more than 14% to $1.55 billion, beating Wall Street expectations. Same-store sales rose 7.1%.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Holding Corp. reported Thursday that it recorded a bigger-than-expected loss in the first quarter as its shoppers cut back on spending. The chain said it lost $170 million, compared with net income of $16 million in the year-ago period.

The retailer had cautioned earlier in May that it expected a first-quarter loss due mainly to a drop in appliance, clothing and consumer electronic sales.

New York City -- Big Lots has decided not to sell itself after bids from private equity firms came in below the company's expectations, according to The Wall Street Journal.

The chain reportedly had received interest from several buyout firms earlier this year, following which it decided to explore a sale. Two groups of private-equity firms — Bain Capital and TPG Capital, and Thomas H. Lee Partners and Advent International — had put in final bids, but they were below Big Lots expectations, the report said.