Mass Merchant

New York City -- Winick Realty Group announced that 1800mattress.com has leased its third Brooklyn location at 2417 Flatbush Avenue, one block from Kings Plaza in the Flatbush -- Ditmas Park neighborhood.

The 2,500-sq.-ft. store was formerly home to Jennifer Convertibles.

The new location is the retailer’s 52nd in the northeast from Virginia to New Hampshire.
 

Suffern, N.Y. -- Ascena Retail Group, owner of the Dressbarn, Maurices and Justice chains, reported Wednesday that net income for the quarter ended July 30 fell to $28.2 million, from $42 million in the year-ago period on one-time charges and a shorter quarter for the performance slide.

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.

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.
 

Omaha, Neb. -- Apparel and home fashions retailer Gordman’s has named Andy Lundquist  as VP stores.

Lundquist most recently served as senior VP stores for Kohl’s Department Stores, where oversaw 270 stores generating $4 billion in revenues in 21 states.

WASHINGTON — Retail sales for the month of August were flat, the U.S. Census Bureau disclosed on Wednesday.

Adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday and trading-day differences, but not for price changes, sales totaled $389.5 billion. Compared with the year-ago period, however, sales rose 7.2%. Trade sales edged up slightly by 0.1% from July, as well as 7.5% above August 2010.

Washington, D.C. -- A report released Wednesday by the Commerce Department said that retail sales were flat in August, the weakest showing in three months.

Apparel retail sales fell 0.7% in August, following a 0.3% decline in July.  Department store sales declined 0.3%.  General merchandise stores such as Wal-Mart and Target fared better, with 0.1% gains. Analysts said Hurricane Irene likely disrupted sales in late August along most of the East Coast.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores on Wednesday launched initiatives intended, it says, to help women around the globe in the next five years.

The retailer has spent the last year developing a plan -- with help from both governmental and non-governmental organizations and philanthropic groups -- which will direct $20 billion over a five- year period on goods and services from U.S. businesses owned by women, as well as double the amount it pays women-run suppliers overseas.