Mass Merchant

Destination Maternity says its turnaround efforts are working to drive long-term growth despite a decrease in same-store sales during the fourth quarter.

The company said that for the fourth quarter ended Jan. 30, same-store sales decreased 3.5%. The retailer's net loss improved to $3.1 million compared to a net loss of $17 million in the prior year quarter. Net sales were $118.3 million, compared with $121.2 million for the comparable three month in 2015.

A court ruling struck down a provision adopted by Puerto Rico last year that tripled the tax revenue the debt-laden island extracted from Walmart, Reuters reported. [Reuters]

Gen Z and Millennials are big on physical stores — even more so than their older counterparts.

That’s one of the findings of a new research study by insights firm iModerate in which 74% of all respondents said it is important for brands to have a physical location rather than solely selling online. Interestingly, 80% of Gen Zers and 82% of Millennials respondents said it is important, compared to 69% of Gen Xers and 65% of Boomers.

Philadelphia -- CBRE Group announced that Steven H. Gartner has been appointed to managing director of retail for the Greater Pennsylvania Region. Gartner will lead CBRE’s retail brokerage platform throughout the region, driving growth and creating a cohesive and collaborative service offering for retail clients, as well as continue to actively maintain strategic client relationships both in Philadelphia and across the country.

Ross Stores has ambitious store expansion plans for 2016—and sees plenty of potential beyond that.

The off-price retailer opened a total of 22 Ross Dress for Less and six dd’s Discounts stores across 15 different states in February and March.

The new locations are part of the company’s 2016 expansion plans to add approximately 70 Ross and 20 dd’s Discounts locations throughout the year.

Consumers are buying groceries online in increasing numbers, but are following specific trends.

According to a new survey of 12,000 U.S. grocery shoppers conducted by grocery retail consultancy Brick Meets Click and sponsored by SAP hybris, the percentage of U.S. consumers that have purchased groceries online in the past 30 days nearly doubled to 21% in the fourth quarter of 2015 from 11% in 2013. Forty-one percent of consumers have purchased groceries online at some point.

In a history-making move that would have a direct impact on the retail industry and food service sector, the state of California has moved closer to raising the statewide minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2022.

Brunswick, Ga. -- Winick Realty Group’s Investment Sales Department announced the sale of the 75,595 sq. ft., grocery-anchored center Brunswick West Shopping Center in Brunswick, Georgia. The center sits on 9.11 acres, off exit 36B of Interstate 95.

Brunswick Shopping Center is currently 82% occupied and anchored by Winn Dixie and Family Dollar.