Mass Merchant

Washington, D.C. -- A report released Monday by the Commerce Department said that retail sales beat expectations for October, climbing 1.2% and representing the biggest gain since March.

The 1.2% rise in October purchases followed a 0.7% gain in September, which also was larger than estimated.

Atlanta -- Midwest department store operator Von Maur will enter the Atlanta market, taking over a fomer Belk’s space at North Point Mall in Alpharetta, Ga., pending approval by the city's design review board, Atlanta Business News reported.

Beachwood, Ohio -- Developers Diversified Realty Corp. announced that the company's joint venture in Brazil, Sonae Sierra Brasil, has opened a nearly 60,000-sq.-ft. expansion at Parque Dom Pedro Shopping, now a 1.3 million-sq.-ft. enclosed mall in Campinas, Brazil.

Chevy Chase, Md. -- Steuart Investment Co. said that Giant Food has signed a lease to anchor a mixed-use project slated for development in Washington, D.C.

The project, called 360º H Street, is a nearly 290,000-sq.-ft., LEED-certified development and features street-level retail topped by 215 rental units. Torti Gallas and Partners, Inc. of Silver Spring is the architect. 

Santa Barbara, Calif. -- Investec announced it has raised $130 million for acquisition of grocery- and drug-anchored centers located in the coastal region of California.

Springfield, Ill. -- Family Dollar has opened an 8,800-sq.-ft. store at Fairhills Mall, located in Springfield, Ill.

The mall is owned by New York City-based Centro Properties Group.