Mass Merchant

STOCKHOLM — H&M will become the first fashion company to roll out garment collecting in select stores worldwide as part of their sustainability initiative.

Time is running out to submit entries in the 31st annual Chain Store Age Retail Store of the Year Design Competition.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target has teamed up with Bruno Mars to deliver an exclusive edition of the pop star’s sophomore album, “Unorthodox Jukebox.”

The album will be available at Target stores and online beginning Tuesday, December 11, and will feature five bonus tracks. Pre-orders are available now at Target.com/ExclusiveArtists.

Los Angeles -- Multiple reports on Tuesday said that British billionaire and Topshop owner Sir Philip Green is negotiating with Leonard Green & Partners to sell a 25% stake in the TopShop and Topman chains.

The two brands, which would be broken off from Philip Green’s other Arcadia Group retail holdings, are valued at $1.61 billion. An announcement is expected as early as Thursday.

Neither Philip Green nor Leonard Green has commented directly on the impending transaction.

Melrose, Mass. -- Charter Realty & Development Corp. announced that shortly after acquiring Towers Plaza in Melrose, Mass., it has signed a 20-year lease for 29,980 sq. ft. to Whole Foods Market.

Whole Foods will move into a space currently occupied by Johnny’s Foodmaster. The space will undergo a major renovation that will coincide with Charter’s renovation of the balance of the center.

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. — Dollar General has elected Sandy Cochran, president and CEO of Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, to its board of directors, effective December 5.

“We are excited to add Sandy to the Dollar General board of directors,” said Rick Dreiling, Dollar General’s chairman and CEO. “Sandy’s extensive experience and perspective will provide us with valuable insights as we continue to grow our business. Her expertise will complement our board as we strive to build shareholder value.”

Indianapolis -- Simon Property Group said Wednesday it has acquired Paragon Outlets Grand Prairie in Grand Prairie, Texas, and Paragon Outlets Livermore Valley in Livermore, Calif.

Simon now owns 100% of each asset.

The 417,000-sq.-ft. Grand Prairie center is tenanted by Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th, Bloomingdale's The Outlet Store, Coach, Cole Haan, DKNY, Hugo Boss, Kate Spade New York, J.Crew, Michael Kors, Nike and Tommy Hilfiger. The center opened in August 2012 and is 100% leased.

Philadelphia -- Metro Commercial Real Estate said that David’s Bridal will open an 8,164-sq.-ft. store at Great Northeast Plaza, located in the northeastern part of Philadelphia.

The new store is slated to open by spring 2013.