Retail

By Rana K. Williamson, PhD, Better Merchant Accounts

San Jose, Calif. -- Orchard Supply Hardware Stores Corp. reported Monday a loss of $33.6 million for the quarter ended Feb. 2, widened from a loss of $7.3 million in the year-ago period.

Sales for the quarter rose to $153 million from $141.6 million, and same-store sales edged up 1.6%.

For the full year,  the company lost $118.4 million, compared with a loss of $14.5 million in the prior year. Sales dipped to $657.3 million, compared to $660.5 million for fiscal 2011.

Mississauga, Ontario -- Target announced the soft opening dates for 24 locations in Western Canada, with 22 stores opening on May 7 and two  opening on May 14.

The openings, which include stores in British Columbia, Alberta and Manitoba, follow the opening of 24 stores across Ontario. As previously announced, Target plans to open 124 stores across Canada throughout 2013.

Bloomfield Hills, Mich. -- Taubman said that all four of its shopping centers in the state of Michigan -- Fairlane Town Center, Great Lakes Crossing Outlets, The Mall at Partridge Creek and Twelve Oaks Mall – have received StormReady designation from the National Weather Service, a component of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Canton, Mass. -- Destination XL Group on May 5 launched a national advertising campaign designed to draw attention to the many challenges men who wear extra large sizes face when shopping for clothes and position Destination XO stores as the one-stop-shopping solution for the style needs of this underserved consumer.

New York -- Winick Realty Group said that Blink Fitness will open a 15,500-sq.-ft. facility at the base of Chelsea Park, a new residential building located at 260 West 26th St. in New York City.

Blink will have a ground-floor entrance at 308 Eighth Avenue, which will lead down to an expansive lower-level gym. The 12-story building is currently home to 204 luxury rental apartments ranging from studios to two-bedroom units.  

Honolulu -- Jones Lang LaSalle said that it has named Wendell Brooks III as senior VP of the firm’s retail brokerage business in Hawaii.

Brooks will work closely with Hawaii Retail Market Lead Kirk Horiuchi to assist landlord and retail clients. He will be joined by James “Kimo” Greenwell and Robert Kelley, who will focus on retail leasing and sales.  Additionally, Melissa Masicampo joins the firm as brokerage coordinator and Mark Ching joins as graphic designer and marketing specialist to support the growing retail team.

Los Angeles -- Midtown Shopping Center Associates said it has acquired the land under Midtown Shopping Center plus two adjacent properties totaling 14.56 acres for $42.5 million from Catellus Development Corp., based in Denver.