eCommerce

Richmond, Va. -- Charlotte, N.C.-based Crosland Southeast said it broke ground Friday on Richmond MSA’s newest multi-use development, Stonebridge, which will occupy the site of the former Cloverleaf Mall in Chesterfield County, Va.

The first phase of Stonebridge includes the construction of 144,000-sq.-ft. of retail space – most notably, a 123,600-sq.-ft. Kroger Marketplace grocery store that will be the region’s largest and the company’s most expensive to date.  

New Canaan, Conn. -- Value-focused but financially healthier American consumers will propel 2011 holiday sales to a record $554 billion, according to retail consultancy Customer Growth Partners’ 10th annual holiday forecast. The forecast, which is significantly more upbeat than other holiday surveys, predicts total retail sales growth of 6.5% for the November-December period over last year, the most rapid growth since 6.9% in 2004 — and over twice consensus forecasts called for lackluster growth of only 2.5%-3%.

Sidney, Neb. -- Outdoor retailer Cabela’s reported Thursday that profit for the third quarter surged 68.7% to $33.3 million, compared with $19.7 million in the year-ago period. Results surpassed analysts’ expectations and mark the third straight quarter of profit rises.

Revenue rose 6% to $678.6 million, missing Wall Street’s expected $681.5 million.

Camp Hill, Pa. -- Rite Aid Corp. reported Thursday that same-store sales increased 2.9% in October, boosted by a 3.6% surge in pharmacy same-store sales. Front-end same-store sales edged up 1.3%.

Total drugstore sales for the four-week period increased 2.8% to $1.96 billion compared to $1.91 billion for the same period last year.

Atwater, Calif. -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said that Dollar Tree has leased retail space in Atwater, Calif., at Applegate Ranch Shopping Center.

Dollar Tree leased 9,264 sq. ft. and is now open. The 464,136-sq.-ft. shopping center is anchored by a Super Target, Walmart, Marshalls and Petco.
 

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. — Pet Supplies Plus, the third-largest pet specialty retailer in the United States, announced that Harvey Solway, executive chairman of the company, is retiring effective Dec. 31.

Solway, 60, began his twenty-year career with Pet Supplies Plus as EVP and general counsel and served as the company's CEO from January 1993 through June 2011. Solway led PSP through its formative years and was instrumental in growing the business to its 92 corporate and 159 franchise stores today, the company reported. 

Dallas -- Neiman Marcus announced Thursday that it had entered into agreements with Visa and MasterCard to begin, effective Nov. 1, accepting MasterCard and Visa credit, debit and prepaid cards at all 41 Neiman Marcus stores.

The luxury retailer had long been criticized for accepting only its private-label credit cards, American Express and cash.

"We listened to our customers and heard that they wanted more flexibility in their payment choices," said Karen Katz, president and CEO, Neiman Marcus.
 

Toano, Va. -- Flooring retailer Lumber Liquidators reported Thursday that net income in the third quarter rose 57.2% to $6.7 million, compared with $4.3 million in the year-ago period.

Sales surged 16.8% to $172 million in the quarter, and same-store sales increased 3%.

The retailer has opened 33 new store locations in 2011, including six opened during the third quarter. It plans to open seven to nine new stores in the fourth quarter.