Mass Merchant

Lenexa, Kan. -- Retail Group of America, owner of Strasburg Children stores, has announced the appointment of Joanna B. Shawver as VP real estate. She will lead the company’s real estate expansion strategy in the United States.

Shawver brings more than 20 years of commercial real estate experience to her new role, with specialties in tenant representation and shopping center leasing. Most recently, she was VP leasing with RED Development, a Kansas City and Phoenix-based real estate development firm.
 

New York City -- The International Council of Shopping Centers said it expects holiday sales to increase 3% this year, which is below the 4.1% gain in 2010.

Holiday sales are expected to reach $250.2 billion, the highest since the 2007 peak, when spending totaled $251.7 billion, according to the group, whose forecast is among the first to come out for the holiday 2011 shopping season.

The ICSC predicted that holiday same-store sales will rise 3.5%, slightly lower than the 3.8% pace in 2010.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target announced that it will offer an exclusive edition of Tony Bennett's next studio album, "Duets II." The deluxe edition of the album will be available at Target stores and at Target.com beginning Sept. 20. Target previously partnered with Bennett in 2006 for his album "Duets An American Classic." 

“I celebrated my 85th birthday in August and the celebration is continuing with this special gift to my fans,” said Bennett. “I hope they enjoy the extra songs found only at Target.”

New York City -- Centro Properties Group US announced the recent lease executions of two Citi Trends locations. A 13,500-sq.-ft. lease has been executed at Lehigh Shopping Center, in Bethlehem, Pa., and a 12,000-sq.-ft. location will open at Kline Plaza, located in Harrisburg, Pa.

Both Lehigh Shopping Center and Kline Plaza are owned by Centro Properties, based in New York City.
 

New York City -- Costco Wholesale Corp won a federal appeals court decision that blocks women who accused the company of gender bias from suing as a group. Although the ruling overturns a judge’s decision to expand a suit filed by three women to include hundreds of female workers, the court left open the possibility that the case could again be brought as a class action.

Seattle -- Nordstrom opened the doors to its newest store, in Nashville, Tenn.

The 149,000-sq.-ft. store is located in The Mall at Green Hills.
 

Fairhope, Ala. -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said it has leased retail space in Fairhope, Ala., to two new tenants.

Fairhope Cosmetic Dentistry leased 2,000 sq. ft. of medical office space and opened in August. Additionally, Roy Rose Jewelry has leased 2,000 sq. ft. of retail space and is slated to open in the middle of September.

The 84,740-sq.-ft. shopping center is anchored by Publix Super Market alongside national retailers such as Merle Norman and Iberia Bank.
 

NEW YORK — Walmart is bringing back its layaway program this holiday season, responding to pressures on low income consumers, MarketWatch reported.

Walmart, which canceled the program in 2006, except for fine jewelery, based on costs and limited use, is bringing back the program at its Walmart U.S. stores for Oct. 17 to Dec. 16 for electronics and toys, according to the report.