eCommerce

Surprisingly strong third quarter same store sales growth at Chico’s was attributed to a blend of compelling fall fashion assortments and effective marketing.

Philadelphia -- Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust (PREIT) said that Apple has opened a new store at its Willow Grove Park property in suburban Philadelphia.

The 8,300-sq.-ft. store opened on Nov. 17, bring the total number of Apple stores in PREIT’s portfolio to four.

“The addition of Apple to this already dominant mall will further drive traffic and sales and allow us to enhance the merchandise mix and quality of the shopping experience at Willow Grove Park,” said Joseph F. Coradino, CEO, PREIT.
 

New York -- Retail sales growth in the United States will rebound from the third quarter this holiday season, but will be down on the previous  two years' robust gains, according to a new report by Moody's Investors Service. The study, "Holiday Sales Will Overcome the U.S. Fiscal Policy Grinch," also finds that earnings growth will be slightly stronger.

New York -- DSW Inc. reported Tuesday that net income fell 6.6% to $50.1 million, compared with $53.7 million in the same period last year.

Sales increased 11.7% to $592.7 million, compared with last year's third quarter sales of $530.7 million and beating Wall Street’s expected $548.1 million in revenue.

Same-store sales increased grew 6.3%.

The company said it plans to open 25 to 30 new stores next year.

Indianapolis -- Simon Property Group said that St. Louis Premium Outlets, located in Chesterfield, Mo., has moved up its opening date to Aug. 22, 2013, and will be joined by Nike, Cole Haan, Converse, Gymboree, Adidas, Wilsons Leather and Claire's Accessories.

Other previously announced tenants include anchor Saks Fifth Avenue Off5TH, Ann Taylor, BCBGMAXAZRIA, Brooks Brothers, Elie Tahari, J.Crew, Jones New York, Loft Outlet, Max Studio, Tommy Hilfiger, Van Heusen and Vera Bradley.

Any trickle-down of an improving economy hasn't trickled down to Fred's consumer base, Bruce Efird, Fred's CEO, told analysts Tuesday morning in discussing the discounter's third-quarter results. "During the third quarter we continue to see generally weak economic conditions throughout the Southeast which are clearly weighing heavily on our customers and influencing how they shop for their basic needs," he said. "It's more evident that things are not getting better for our core customers."

New York -- Schurman Retail Group announced that Papyrus opened a new store in the Time Warner center, marking the retailer’s 18th store in New York City.

“New York City has always been a strong market for us,” said Dominique Schurman, CEO, Schurman Retail Group.
 
The 1500-sq.-ft. store features a “Hummingbird” design that is featured in 183 stores in the U.S. and Canada.

Best Buy on Tuesday continued its string of negative same store stores sales, posting a 4% decline at U.S. stores, and recorded a worse than expected profit.