Supermarket/Grocery

Minneapolis -- Target Corp.'s fiscal third-quarter earnings rose 22.6%, beating analysts' estimates, boosted by improvements in its credit-card business and rising food sales. The chain also projected a strong holiday, saying it expects an important sales measure to rise more sharply than it has in three years. It is hoping to lure more shoppers during the holidays with its updated store layout and a new credit-card program that offers 5% off all purchases.

Chicago -- U.S. Equities Realty said that Sbarro will open six new quick-service Italian restaurants at the Illinois Tollway Oases.

Sbarro restaurants will open at the Belvidere, Des Plaines, Hinsdale, Lake Forest, Lincoln and O’Hare Oases, and will vary in size from 700 sq. ft. to 1,240 sq. ft., for a total of 6,360 sq. ft.

Allentown, Pa. -- New York City-based The Lightstone Group  announced two long-term lease extensions at Mountainville Shopping Plaza, its 118,000-sq.-ft. shopping center in Allentown, Pa.

Family Dollar has signed a 10-year lease extension for 9,135 sq. ft. of retail space at the shopping center. Studio II Nails has signed a four-year lease extension for 1,500 sq. ft.

Mountainville Shopping Plaza is anchored by a 33,000-sq.-ft. PriceRite Supermarket, an 11,500-sq.-ft. Retro Fitness gym and a 15,000-sq.-ft. Eckerd Pharmacy.

Raleigh, N.C. -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said it has leased restaurant space in Raleigh, N.C., at Market at Colonnade to Panera Bread.

Panera has leased 4,000 sq. ft. and is slated to open in spring 2011.

Market at Colonnade is a 57,511-sq.-ft. shopping center anchored by a 40,000-sq.-ft. Whole Foods Market.

Modesto, Calif. -- Save Mart Supermarkets is set to launch a new value-focused concept, called Maxx Value Foods, which is designed to offer consumers lower prices, with a center aisle dedicated to high-value offerings.

The chain has converted a 34,000-sq.-ft. conventional store in Modesto, Calif., into the new format, which will debut on Wednesday.

The limited-selection store will retain the appearance of a conventional grocery store, but will use a selection of products as a key element to drive down prices, the company said.

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.

Brussels, Belgium -- Delhaize Group announced on Monday that AllianceBernstein LP lifted its voting stake in the food retailer to 5.04%.

The New York asset manager, a member of France's AXA group, now holds 5.11 million Delhaize shares, compared with 3.73 million as of Oct. 5, Delhaize reported.

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.