Mass Merchant

Gap posted positive comps in July for the four-week period ended August 2, buoyed by sales at Banana Republic; but preliminary second-quarter results show that comparable store sales were flat compared to the same period last year.

Net sales in July increased 5% to $1.17 billion compared with net sales of $1.12 billion for the four-week period ended August 3. For the second quarter, Gap Inc.’s net sales increased 3% to $3.98 billion compared with $3.87 billion for the second quarter last year.

Los Angeles – American Apparel has relocated its Aix-en-Provence store in France. Set in a former private hotel, the new location features an open, single floor layout and flower garden.

The shop maintains much of the building's early architecture including stone walls, a fireplace (transformed into a shoe display) and double front doors depicting the city's emblem of two lion faces. With history dating back to the 16th century, it marks the company's oldest interior in Europe.    

Conway, Ark. -- The Central Landing retail development now underway in Conway, Arkansas, has added Dillard’s as a key anchor for its first phase, according Jim Wilson & Associates and partner the Conway Development Corp.

Redmond, Wash. – Microsoft Corp. is reportedly negotiating to open a new store on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. According to the New York Daily News, the site is only a few blocks from Apple’s large “glass cube” store in New York.

City of Commerce, Calif. – 99 Cents Only Stores is reopening six stores in California the weekend of Aug. 15 – Aug. 16. On Aug. 15, 99 Cents Only will kick off the grand re-opening celebration of its Concord, Poway and Sanger stores.

On Aug. 16, 99 Cents Only Stores will kick off the grand re-opening celebration of its San Bernardino, Escondido and Rohnert Park stores.

Costco saw a boost in net sales and same-store sales during the month of July.

Net sales totaled $8.55 billion for the four weeks ended Aug. 3, an increase of 9% from $7.87 billion during the similar four-week period last year.

Same-store sales increased 5%, while U.S. same-store sales also increased 5% during the period.

For the 48 weeks ended Aug. 3 net sales were $101.43 billion, an increase of 7%. During the 48 weeks, same-store sales increased 4%. In the United States, same-store sales rose 5%.

Tewksbury, Mass. – Delhaize Group, parent company of Maine-based supermarket chain Hannaford Bros. Co., is reportedly making a bid for part or all of the embattled Market Basket grocery chain. Market Basket operates 71 stores in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine, and has been embroiled in a dispute with employees over management since July.

The retail industry and many of those who work at Walmart are going to get a double shot of Greg Foran next week. The former international executive assumes his new role as CEO of the Walmart U.S. division as the retailer prepares to release second quarter results and host a major U.S. manufacturing summit.