Mass Merchant

Outdoor retailer Cabela’s has announced plans to open one of its signature stores in Rogers, Ark., next summer, continuing an influx of retail development that has steadily elevated the region’s shopping options.

A decade ago, the biggest decision facing shoppers who lived in Benton County was which Walmart to shop at. Either that or drive to Fayetteville where an aging mall featured Dillard’s and JCPenney as anchor tenants. Other folks made the two-hour trek to Tulsa, Okla., which boasted more choices, but hardly qualified as a shopping Mecca.

Purchase, N.Y. -- A report released Thursday by MasterCard Advisors said that total retail sales in July sustained momentum despite inconsistencies in other areas of the economy.

According to MasterCard SpendingPulse, which tracks national retail and service sales, excluding auto sales retail sales in July 2011 grew by 8.7% year-over-year. 

Retail sales are on par with the average growth of the previous three months.

Atlanta -- Jones Lang LaSalle announced it has been chosen for 13 new retail services assignments including property management, leasing and accounting services for a variety of owners throughout the United States.

During the first half of 2011, Jones Lang LaSalle has added 22 new retail assignments totaling more than 5.3 million sq. ft. of space.

Concord, Calif. -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said it has leased space to two new restaurant tenants at Clayton Valley Shopping Center, located in Concord, Calif.

Five Guys Burgers and Fries has leased 2,400 sq. ft., and Dickey’s Barbecue Pit will open fall 2011 in a 1,740-sq.-ft. space.

The 260,000-sq.-ft. shopping center is anchored by Orchard Supply Hardware alongside national retailers such as Ross Dress for Less, Fresh & Easy and CVS/pharmacy.
 

SANTA CLARA, Calif. and BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart announced that its video-on-demand service Vudu is now available for the iPad. 

iPad users can go to Vudu.com and browse through Vudu's entertainment content library, which includes more than 20,000 blockbusters, Hollywood classics, independent films and TV episodes, then rent or purchase and watch them instantly. For one touch access to Vudu, customers can add a Vudu icon to their iPad desktops by clicking the "Add to Home Screen" button when on Vudu.com.  

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. — Kohl's announced that its board of directors has elected John Schlifske as a new board member, effective immediately. He has been elected to a term expiring at Kohl's 2012 annual shareholders meeting and will be eligible for re-election by Kohl's shareholders at that time. He will initially serve on the board of directors' governance and nominating committee.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears Holdings continues its efforts to reach more Hispanic consumers with the announcement that its Kmart brand has launched a Spanish-language miniseries on YouTube.

NEW YORK — Launched online at Target.com on Aug. 1 is the new Spa Sonic Skin Care System face & body polisher.

The seven-piece, at-home spa set works to deeply cleanse the entire face and body. Its dermal penetrating action is designed to promote rapid absorption of skin care products and leaves skin toned and smooth.

St. Louis -- Dollar General has signed a multi-year contract with Interface to provide secure managed cloud services to the retailer’s 9,5000 plus stores that will improve operations, and increase the security of customer and employee data, while providing significant reductions in operating expenses.

Under the agreement, Dollar General will use Interface’s managed cloud services for its entire retail store network.

Overall, there was an 8 % decline in the number of pages per market across the retailer set, and a 4% decline in number of inserts. Pages being down can be attributed to a steep decline in Kohl’s and Sears' number of pages per market, while the decline in number of inserts was due to Home Depot and Staples decreasing their drops.

Home Depot and Safeway adopted a similar strategy, reducing the number inserts per market in July 2011 compared with last year, while increasing the number of pages per market.