Mass Merchant

Issaquah, Wash. -- Costco Wholesale Corp.'s profit climbed 18% in its first fiscal quarter, buoyed by sales from its consolidated Mexican operations and improved sales and traffic at its U.S. stores. Net income rose to $312 million for the period ended Nov. 21, up from $266 million a year earlier.

The results topped analysts' average forecasts.

Revenue rose 11% to $19.24 billion from $17.3 billion, also beating Wall Street's expectation.

Chicago -- Year-over-year GAFO retail sales increased a slight 2.3% or the week ending Dec. 4, according to ShopperTrak’s National Retail Sales Estimate (NRSE), while the company’s Retail Traffic Index (SRTI) reported foot traffic remained flat for the same period.

The Nov. 24 edition of SiteTalk invited readers to suggest what they thought would be most talked-about in the aisles of the International Council of Shopping Centers New York deal-making conference. Here is what one reader had to say:

 "I expect to hear people complimenting our new Roundtables (Tuesday, Dec. 7, 8-9 a.m.) at the Sheraton. Also, if Black Friday and the start of holiday shopping season match retailer expectations (as shown in our pre-holiday tenant survey), I expect to hear about more deals being made."

New York City -- Two of Russia's largest grocery store chains, Pyaterochka and Kopeika, said on Monday that they would merge their operations in a move that would better position them to compete with Wal-Mart Stores, which is expected to enter the Russian market, according to the New York Times.

Menomonee Falls, Wis. -- Kohl's Corp. said Tuesday it has renewed its long-term license agreement to be the exclusive seller of Simply Vera Vera Wang clothing and other merchandise, and plans to expand the line into makeup.

Phoenix -- Vestar Development Co. and Rockwood Capital on Tuesday acquired Tempe Marketplace for $280 million by buying out an original partner. In conjunction with the closing, Tempe Marketplace received a new $200 million permanent financing package from GACC.

Vestar was the developer of Tempe Marketplace and had previously partnered with DLJ/Credit Suisse. Both Rockwood and Vestar made significant investments in the acquisition. Under terms of the deal, Vestar will be the managing partner.

Washington, D.C. -- The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday agreed to decide whether to certify the largest class-action employment discrimination lawsuit in U.S. history, a long-standing dispute involving Wal-Mart Stores and alleged gender bias in pay and promotions.