Mass Merchant

The Polaroid company may have went through its share of financial difficulties, but there is plenty of equity left in the brand name and Walmart’s Asda unit is looking to capitalize on it this month with a new line of consumer electronics.

Asda this week began offering an exclusive range of CE items including televisions, media players and audio equipment under the Polaroid brand.

San Francisco -- A federal lawsuit against Wal-Mart Stores Inc. was filed on Wednesday, by disability rights advocates claiming that payment machines are inaccessible to California customers in wheelchairs and on scooters.

Puyallup, Wash. -- Youngstown, Ohio-based Cafaro Co. said that Torrid, Aveda, Burger Bliss and Mr. Jalapeno will open at South Hill Mall – in Puyallup, Wash. – between now and October 2012.

Torrid will open on Aug. 8 in a 2,600-sq.-ft. space, Aveda will open in 875 sq. ft. in October, and Burger Bliss and Mr. Jalapeno will open in the mall’s Food Court.

The 1 million-sq.-ft. mall is anchored by Target, Macy’s, J.C. Penney, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Sears and Regal Cinemas.
 

Moorestown, N.J. -- Philadelphia-based Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust said that Kids Foot Locker has opened at Moorestown Mall, located in Moorestown, N.J.

The 2,800-sq.-ft. store is joined by such tenants as anchors Macy’s, Lord & Taylor, Sears and Boscov’s as well as specialty retailers Zumiez, Victoria’s Secret and American Eagle Outfitters and restaurants such as Pei Wei Asian Diner and Elevation Burger. The Regal Moorestown Mall Stadium 12 & Regal Premium Experience is opening in spring 2013.
 

Pittsburgh -- GNC Holdings reported Thursday that net income for the quarter ended June 30 nearly doubled to $66.7 million, compared with $36 million for second quarter 2011.

Consolidated revenue increased 19.4% to $619.1 million, and same-store sales increased 12.9% in domestic company-owned stores, representing the company's 28th consecutive quarter of positive same store sales growth. 
 

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Shopko has hired a long-time retail marketing executive, with extensive experience in the beauty and apparel sectors, to help develop the Shopko brand as it moves forward with the conversion of its newly acquired Pamida stores to the Shopko Hometown format.

FORT WORTH, Texas — Comparable-store sales were flat at RadioShack for the second quarter, as the company is still waiting for new strategic initiatives to pay off. The one bright spot is the mobile category, which had a 3.3% comps increase at U.S. RadioShack company-operated stores. Total net sales and operating revenue of $953.2 million, an increase of 1.2% versus last year.

Net loss for the quarter was $21 million, or 21 cents per diluted share, compared with net income of $24.9 million, or 24 cents per diluted share, last year.

Chestnut Hill, Mass. -- WS Development announced that Lululemon Athletica has signed a lease to join the Chestnut Hill Shopping Center, in Chestnut Hill, Mass.

The 3,100-sq.-ft. lululemon joins other new signings at the 406,000-sq.-ft. center, including Pottery Barn, The Sports Club/LA, Cinema de Lux, Polarn O. Pyret, Shake Shack, Pinkberry, Treat Cupcake Bar, and gourmet Asian restaurant Bernard’s.