Mass Merchant

City of Industry, Calif. -- Hot Topic reported Wednesday a loss of $800,000 for the second quarter, tightened from a $6.2 million loss in the prior-year quarter.

Revenue rose 4.6% to $157.8 million compared with $150.9 million, and same-store sales increased 3.9%.
 

MINNEAPOLIS — Target’s second-quarter sales increased 3.5% to $16.5 billion and the company’s profits grew 2.9% to $1.06 per share, five cents better than analysts expected.

Last June, two organizations — Retail Industry Leaders Association and International Council of Shopping Centers — co-sponsored a sustainability initiative that ultimately would set the bar for landlord/tenant partnerships.

The last 14 months haven’t been without bumps. Forging positive, mutually beneficial programs that involve cooperation from shopping center owners and their retail tenants has long been one of this industry’s greatest — and most frustrating — challenges.

Los Angeles -- A PriceGrabber back-to-school survey released on Wednesday found that 48% of consumers believe retailers are offering better back-to-school shopping promotions this year.

According to the survey, 88% of consumers chose 'sales' as the top retailer promotion that will entice them to make a back-to-school purchase this year. Forty-nine percent of shoppers cited coupons; 44% noted that "free items with purchase" would persuade them to buy; and 34% selected sales available online only.

Rock Hill Galleria has unveiled plans for a number of large-scale developments slated for the 470,000-sq.-ft. regional mall. 

Entertainment destination Revolutions will open a 66,640-sq.-ft. location at Rock Hill Galleria, featuring 30 state-of-the-art bowling lanes, a lazer maze and arena, bumper cars, arcade, restaurant and bar, sports theatre, plus live music and dancing. Opening is anticipated for winter 2012.

Willow Grove, Pa. -- Philadelphia-based Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust said that Soma Intimates will open a 2,369-sq.-ft. store this fall at Will Grove Park, located in Willow Grove, Pa.

Accessory boutique Laila Rowe will also open this fall, in a 1,181-sq.-ft. space.

Willow Grove Park is a three-level, 1.2 million-sq.-ft. regional shopping mall anchored by Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, Sears and Nordstrom Rack.
 

Sam’s Club is temporarily suspending is membership fee this weekend to engage in Texas’ tax-free holiday and promote new member sign ups.

The tax-free holiday for back-to-school product runs Aug. 17 to 19 in Texas, home to 74 of Sam’s 613 U.S. clubs. During the same three day period Sam’s will allow non-members to shop its clubs.

Savannah, Ga. -- Despite narrowing its loss in the second quarter from $10 million to $7.9 million this quarter, Citi Trends still missed Wall Street expectations.
 
Revenue edged up 2% to $132.3 million, which also missed analysts’ forecast. Wall Street expected sales of $133.9 million.
 
Same-store sales slipped 4%.