eCommerce

SALISBURY, N.C. — New stores, higher retail inflation and positive calendar impact drove sales up for Delhaize America, the U.S. sector of the Delhaize Group, during the second quarter ended June 30.

The division, which operates such banners as Food Lion, Hannaford and Bottom Dollar Food, reported that revenues rose 4.3% to $4.9 billion, while comparable-store sales increased 1.6%. Operating profit, however, dropped 2.7% to $205 million.

Milan -- Luxottica Group announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Erroca, which operates more than 60 sunglass stores in Israel. Over time, the stores will be rebranded under the Sunglass Hut brand.

The deal marks Luxottica's entry into the Israeli sunglass specialty store market, although the company already has a solid presence in the country through its wholesale division.

Minneapolis -- Best Buy Co.’s Best Buy Express plans to add nearly 100 kiosk locations in the next year spread over a variety of new channels.

The division has opened 150 Express locations in three years, and said it is adding two locations at Downtown Disney District in Anaheim, Calif., and multiple locations at college campuses, events and ferry hubs this year.

Operating internationally is full of pitfalls and political peculiarity, as Walmart has again discovered in South Africa where various government officials are attempting to wring additional concessions from the company related to its acquisition of Massmart.

Brentwood, Tenn. -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said it has leased retail space to four new tenants at Peartree Village, located in in Brentwood, Tenn.

Petco opened an 11,120-sq.-ft. store, NeighborMD Urgent Care has leased 3,736 sq. ft. of medical office space, and Serenity Nail Spa has leased 2,339 sq. ft. First Watch, a breakfast, brunch and lunch restaurant, has opened its first Tennessee location in 3,586 sq. ft., occupying a former Hollywood Video space. All stores are now open, and the center is 100% leased.

New York City -- The nation’s specialty apparel retailers reported mixed results in July. as Hot Topic and Limited Brands turned in strong performances, while Gap and Aeropostale stumbled.

Hot Topic said its same-store sales rose 7.3% in July. far exceeding the 0.5% rise in analysts’ forecast. Hot Topic said the measure rose 6.2% at its namesake stores and rose 11.8% at its plus-sized Torrid division. The teen retailer also raised its second-quarter outlook.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Costco announced that it is bringing its Kirstie Kelly wedding gowns to the South during limited-time trunk shows at select locations. 

Purchase, N.Y. -- Apparel continued to show gains in July, while housing-related sectors such as electronics, appliances, and furniture remained sluggish, according to MasterCard Advisors SpendingPulse, a macroeconomic report tracking national retail and services sales. (The data estimates total U.S. retail sales across all payment forms including cash and check.)

In other findings, auto parts and service posted its first decline after five months of growth.