Mass Merchant

Bensalem, Pa. -- Charming Shoppes reported a smaller loss for its third fiscal quarter on Wednesday, helped by lower operating expenses and competitive promotions that attracted customers. The chain posted a net loss of $18.8 million for the period ended Oct. 30, compared with a loss of $48.4 million, in the prior-year period.

Revenue increased 1% to $463.6 million from $460.2 million, with online sales up 40%. Same-store sales rose 3%.
 

Houston -- Centro Properties Group said Tuesday that Fashion Metro has opened a 9,810-sq.-ft. store at Northtown Plaza, in Houston.

Centro Properties Group, based in New York City, owns Northtown Plaza.

New York - BCBGMAXAZRIAGROUP, the $1 billion global fashion brand, has launched a new, fast-fashion store concept, Lola, targeted at young women (ages 16 to 26).  The 3,000-sq.-ft. store, has a cool, hip vibe and is designed as an urban studio apartment, complete with fireplace, daybed, spiral staircase,  and closet. Salvaged doors give the storefront a Lower East Side feel.

Atlanta - A report released Monday by payment solution provider First Data Corp. found that on Black Friday, card spending growth returned to pre-recession levels.

According to the First Data SpendTrend analysis for Black Friday 2010, which tracks same-store consumer spending via credit, signature debit, PIN debit and EBT cards at U.S. merchant locations, year-over-year same-store dollar volume grew 12.3%.

Transaction growth was 10.1%.

Tokyo - A report released Tuesday said that Japanese prosecutors will launch an investigation into possible insider trading involving shares of Wal-Mart's Japanese subsidiary Seiyu.

According to Reuters, which cited the Nikkei business daily website, the trading is suspected to have occurred when Wal-Mart turned Seiyu into a fully owned unit in 2007.

In early November, Japan's Securities and Exchange Surveillance Commission began an investigation into possible insider trading. Wal-Mart has said it would cooperate with authorities.

New York City - According to the Brand Keys Holiday Survey, released Tuesday, Amazon topped the marketing research consultancy’s list of the top 10 retailers based on customer visits.

Walmart and Apple tied for second, followed by Target, Zappos, Best Buy and Dell, Kohls, Overstock and QVC, Lands End and L.L. Bean, J.C. Penney, and Macy’s.

Menomonee Falls, Wis. - Kohl's Corp. announced Tuesday that it is promoting four of its executives as part of an ongoing succession planning process.

Don Brennan has been promoted from senior EVP to chief merchandising officer. John Worthington was promoted from senior executive VP to chief administrative officer. Peggy Eskenasi was promoted from executive VP of product development to senior EVP. And Wes McDonald was promoted from EVP and CFO to senior executive VP and CFO.

All the promotions are effective Dec. 1.