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.

Cincinnati -- A Monday report by the Cincinnati Business Courier said that Kroger Co. is planning to spend about $15 million to renovate four stores in the Cincinnati area in 2011.

The grocery retailer said it plans to renovate stores in Westwood, Madeira and Montgomery, Ohio, as well as a store in Cold Spring, Ky.

The Westwood and Montgomery locations are scheduled for renovation in the first half of 2011, while Kroger is still finalizing the renovation plans for the Madeira and Cold Spring stores.

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.

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.
 

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.