Retail

New York -- Ann Inc., which runs the Ann Taylor and Loft,  reported that its fiscal first-quarter net income dropped 27%, as unseasonably cold weather held back sales of spring and summer clothing and led to discounts. The retailer also cut its revenue outlook for the year.

Atlanta -- Construction of a new Brixx Wood Fired Pizza is underway at The Avenue East Cobb in Marietta, Ga., just north of Atlanta. Cousins Properties manages the development.

Approximately 3,600 sq. ft., the new Brixx will seat about 140 inside and 45 outside on a patio. Franchisees Nick and Raj Vadgama will open the new restaurant, the first Brixx in Georgia, in the fall.

Brixx has also announced plans for a second franchised Georgia location in the Avenue Peachtree City, another Cousins property.

Atlanta -- Jones Lang LaSalle has announced that its retail group, in an exclusive deal, will lease and manage Shenandoah Plaza in Newnan, Ga. Anchoring the 146,121-sq.-ft. property are Big Lots, Rent-A-Center and Goodwill.

The property is currently 100% occupied. John Bemis, southeast retail market lead, and Janine Christian, senior VP, will direct JLL’s team on the assignment.

Leominster, Mass. -- Vintage Real Estate has purchased The Mall at Whitney Field, a 700,000-sq.-ft. regional shopping center in Leominster, Mass., about 35 miles west of Boston. Anchors include Macy’s, Sears, J.C. Penney, Market Basket, Toys “R” Us and Old Navy.

Concurrent with the acquisition, Burlington Coat Factor signed a 10-year lease for a 66,000-sq.-ft. space formerly occupied by Circuit City.

Dallas -- CBRE’s Private Capital Group in Dallas has arranged the sale of Hebron Heights Shopping Center in Carrollton, Texas, for an undisclosed amount. The 59,356-sq.-ft. neighborhood shopping center occupies a 10-plus acre site at the corner of Hebron Parkway and Old Denton Road in northwest Dallas.

Atlanta -- Jones Lang LaSalle Retail Group said that vacancy rates should fall far enough to enable some landlords in every U.S. market to demand slightly higher rents — at some point over the next six months.

Plano, Texas -- J.C. Penney Co. on Thursday took the wraps off its highly anticipated new home department. More than 500 stores received a complete home department revamp, with updated flooring, accent lighting, custom fixturing and a widened pathway.

The new department is made up of a collection of in-store shops for popular designers, including Michael Graves Design, MarthaHome, Happy Chic by Jonathan Adler, and Design by Conran. Each shop-has its own distinct look with a size range of about 300 to about 800 sq. ft.

New York -- Same-stores sales increased 3.2% in May, edging up from a 3% gain in April, according to a preliminary tally of 12 retailers by the International Council of Shopping Centers.  

The number of retailers reporting same-store sales has dropped dramatically over the past two years, with major department store companies and discounters no longer reporting. Many specialty fashion chains are also following suit. Some experts caution that the results are now so limited they are not representative of the industry at large.