Mass Merchant

MINNEAPOLIS — Customers can save on back-to-school shopping by trading in used electronics and video games for store credit, Target said.

The mass merchandiser said it expanded its Electronics Trade-In service to 1,490 stores with Target Mobile centers, and also added new product categories. The chain offers the program under a partnership with consumer electronics upgrade and trade-in company NextWorth, giving customers credit in return. The service is accepting calculators, DVDs, video games, Nintendo DS units, cell phones, iPods and iPads.

Stirling Properties, the developer of River Chase Shopping Center in the south Louisiana community of Covington, announced that Sam’s Club is coming to the center, planning a fall 2012 opening for the new 136,000-sq.-ft. warehouse club.

The largest open-air retail center in St. Tammany Parish, the 640,000-sq.-ft. River Chase is currently anchored by Target, Belk, J.C. Penney. Best Buy, Marshalls, Ross Dress for Less and a 14-screen Hollywood Theater.

South Denver’s Park Meadows regional mall is officially 15 years old -- and it is celebrating throughout the month of August with free community entertainment and activities, culminating in a free community pancake breakfast August 30, 2011.

Chattanooga, Tenn. -- CBL & Associates Properties announced that Jimmy Neely and Kyle Capshaw have joined the company's leasing department.

Neely joins CBL as a senior leasing manager responsible for Hanes Mall in Winston Salem, N.C., and Randolph Mall in Asheboro, N.C. He previously held various positions with Colonial Property Trust of Birmingham, including leasing, development and peripheral property.

Fort Worth, Texas -- Centro Properties Group US announced that Charming Charlie has opened a new store in Fort Worth, Texas.

The new 8,878-sq.-ft. store recently opened at Trinity Commons, which is owned by Centro Properties, based in New York City.

 

Jackson, Miss. -- Altar’d State, retailer of apparel and accessories, as well as home goods, personal care products, and books and music, opened a new store at the Renaissance at Colony Park, in Jackson, Miss., on Aug. 13.

Located across from P.F. Chang’s, between Talbots and Cellular South, Altar’d State makes it a practice to support charitable causes in each community it locates in. 

Erie, Pa. -- Youngstown, Ohio-based Cafaro Co. said that Jos. A. Bank Clothiers and Fox Head will be opening at the company’s Millcreek Mall, near Erie, Pa., in early November.

Jos. A. Bank will be located in the Promenade section of the mall. Motocross apparel retailer Fox Head will set up shop on the Macy’s Court.

Millcreek Mall Complex, in Millcreek Township, Pa., comprises more than 2 million sq. ft. of shopping, lodging, dining and entertainment. 
 

Dedham, Mass. -- Chestnut Hill, Mass.-based WS Development said that J. Crew has opened at Legacy Place, located in Dedham, Mass.

The 6,000-sq.-ft. J.Crew is located near Sephora, Apple, and Williams-Sonoma and adjacent to Brooks Brothers, Johnston & Murphy and Orvis.

Opened in 2009, Legacy Place is anchored by Whole Foods Market, L.L. Bean, Showcase Cinema de Lux, and Kings.
 

Westborough, Mass. -- BJ's Wholesale Club reported Wednesday that net income for the quarter ended July 30 increased 28% to $45.7 million, compared with $35.7 million in the year-ago period.

The warehouse club operator said revenue rose 11% to $3.05 billion from $2.75 billion, beating an expected $2.98 billion. Revenue from membership fees increased to $51.8 million from $47.5 million, while net sales rose to $2.98 billion from $2.69 billion. Same-store sales rose 7.8%, including a 4% contribution from fuel sales.

Framingham, Mass. -- Staples reported Wednesday that profit for the quarter ended July 30 rose 36% to $176.4 million, compared with $129.8 million in the year-ago period. The quarter included the first weeks of the back-to-school shopping season.

Revenue rose 5% to $5.82 billion, beating Wall Street’s expected $5.64 billion. Same-store sales were flat.