Discount Store

Mother’s Day may be considered a “Hallmark Holiday,” but that won’t stop consumers from showering mom with gifts on May 8. According to NRF’s 2011 Mother’s Day Consumer Intentions and Actions survey, conducted by BIGresearch, the average person celebrating the holiday is expected to spend $140.73 on gifts, up from $126.90 last year, and a return to 2008 spending levels. Total spending is expected to reach $16.3 billion.

Raleigh, N.C. -- Tarrytown, N.Y.-based DLC Management Corp. announced a pair of lease signings that have transformed its Raleigh, N.C., asset Tower Shopping Center.

According to DLC, America’s Kids will open a 26,691-sq.-ft. store, marking the children’s clothing and accessory retailer’s first store in North Carolina. This is also the first America’s Kids store in DLC’s portfolio, and deals at two additional shopping centers are under negotiation.

New York City -- Wal-Mart Stores CEO Mike Duke said rising gas prices are hurting the chain’s main customers, who are having an even harder time stretching their dollars to the next payday than they did a year ago.

"There's no doubt that rising fuel prices are having an impact on our customers," said Duke at an event that was part of The Wall Street Journal's executive breakfast series,  according to the Associated Press. "There's more pressure."

Moline, Ill. -- Oakbrook Terrace, Ill.-based Mid-America Asset Management announced that Citi Trends is entering Moline, Ill., with a lease for 10,137 sq. ft. at City Line Plaza.

The new store is slated to open in June.

The 112,849-sq.-ft. City Line Plaza is anchored by Jewel/Osco and Family Dollar, with other tenants including Papa Johns, Hallmark and Rent-A-Center.
 

St. Paul, Minn. -- A partnership between St. Paul, Minn.-based Paster Enterprises and Chicago-based Shiner Capital Partners announced the purchase of Cahill Plaza, located in Inver Grove Heights, Minn.

Cahill Plaza is a 69,000-sq.-ft. shopping center that is anchored by a 52,017-sq.-ft. Cub Foods and a 6,165-sq.-ft. MGM Liquor. Additional tenants include Great Clips, RR Cleaners, C & A Nails, Edward Jones and Papa Johns.

New York City -- Big Lots, which plans to open 90 stores this year, has made two key merchandising moves to facilitate its planned growth.

The retailer has hired former Sears merchandising executive Doug Wurl to serve as its executive VP merchandising. He assumes responsibilities previously held by John Martin, who was named executive VP administration. In his new role, Martin will have responsibility for store operations and human resources.

By Jason Pierson

Cincinnati -- Macy’s on Monday said it will open three Bloomingdale’s Outlet stores in the fall. The new locations will join the first four Bloomingdale’s Outlet stores opened in fall 2010 when the concept was launched.

The new Bloomingdale’s Outlet stores, which will range from 25,000 sq. ft. to 24,000 sq. ft. are scheduled to open in the following shopping centers with an upscale outlet store focus: Miromar Outlets, Estero, Fla.; Wrentham Village Premium Outlets, Wrentham, Mass.; and Woodfield Village Green, Schaumburg, Ill.