Mass Merchant

CLEVELAND — Walmart has launched an exclusive line of nursing bras and related essentials catering to expectant and nursing mothers manufactured by Leading Lady, a Cleveland-based nursing bra and niche-intimate apparel company.

With the Loving Moments collection, Leading Lady aimed to fuse current fashion trends with nursing bra technology. The collection features stretch lace, supportive camis, sleep and leisure bras, as well as seamless everyday bras. 

Indianapolis – Electronics retailer Hhgregg is opening a new store location at the Dayton Mall in Dayton, Ohio, on May 16. The new 23,000-sq.-ft. store will replace a previous location in West Carrollton, Ohio.

“Hhgregg is dedicated to the Dayton community and we think local residents will really enjoy shopping at our new and modern store,” said Jeff Pearson, senior VP of marketing, Hhgregg.

Omaha, Neb. -- Apparel and home-décor retailer Gordmans said Tuesday it has appointed Geoffrey Ayoub as senior VP planning, allocation and analysis.

Ayoub joins Gordmans from EDCON, a South African-based retailer operating over 1,000 stores in multiple retail formats throughout five countries. At EDCON, he served as chief planning officer responsible for all aspects of merchandise planning, allocation, replenishment and merchandise analysis.

PHILADELPHIA — Teen discounter Five Below increased its first quarter profit forecast as sales for the period increased 33% to $95.6 million and same store sales advanced 4.2%.

Foxborough, Mass. -- Charter Realty & Development said that it has signed a lease with consignment boutique Chic 2 Chic at the Foxborough Plaza, a 118,844-sq.-ft. shopping center in Foxborough, Mass.

The 22,000-sq.-ft. store is a relocation from downtown Foxborough and is the company’s only current store in the state.

The Foxborough Plaza, owned and managed by WP Realty, is almost 100% occupied, anchored by Ocean State Job Lot, and also featuring Dollar Tree, Dunkin Donuts and Xtreme Fitness.

Washington, D.C. -- Total retail sales increased 0.1% in April from March, according to figures released Monday by the U.S. Commerce Department. The increase, an improvement from a 0.5% decline in March, beat the 0.3% drop economists had predicted in a Bloomberg survey.  

Excluding automobiles, gas stations and restaurants, sales  increased 0.6% seasonally adjusted from last month and increased 3.9% unadjusted year-over-year, according to the National Retail Federation.

New York – In what could be bad news for retailers, “mass affluent” consumers (those with $50,000 to $250,000 in investable assets) and Gen Y (age 18-34) are cutting back on spending to save for retirement. According to the Spring 2013 Merrill Edge Report, the average mass affluent investor expects to save $860,000 for retirement but has only saved $150,000. If given an extra $1,000 per month, 50% of mass affluent consumers would put it toward savings or paying down debt.

Dallas -- SRS Real Estate Partners said it has appointed Bob Taylor as senior VP in the New York office.

This is Taylor’s second stint with SRS.  In his first, he directed Hard Rock Café’s national expansion and relocation efforts. Taylor will be focused on tenant and landlord representation for the New York team, and returns to SRS from Cassidy Turley, The Staubach Co., and Staubach Retail.