Sales & Marketing

Niagara Falls, N.Y. — Macerich has announced plans to renovate and expand Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls USA. The project will add nearly 175,000 sq. ft. of retail and bring in 50 new tenants. With approximately 700,000 sq. ft. of top designer brand retailers, the expanded center will be one of the largest outlet malls in the country.

New retailers will include Disney, Forever 21, Helly Hansen, Kenneth Cole, Steve Madden, Swarovski, the Limited, White House|Black Market and others. To date, 77% of the expansion has been leased.

Gap had a good April in terms of sales, and a large part of the reason is the company’s Old Navy banner.

The company reported that April net sales increased 10% to $1.33 billion for the four-week period ended May 3, versus $1.21 billion last year. Gap’s comparable sales for April 2014 were up 9% versus a 7% increase last year.

For the first quarter so far, Gap’s net sales have increased 1% to $3.77 billion versus $3.73 billion last year. The company’s comparable sales so far have decreased 1% versus a 2% increase last year.

Fred's plans to implement a long-term marketing strategy stressing everyday low pricing and the convenience of a smaller box to help bolster sales against what the company describes as "intense competitive pressures." The company's pharmacy operations continue to grow, however.

Fred's reported $150 million in sales for the four weeks ended May 3, representing a decline of 1.6% as compared to year-ago sales. For the first quarter ended May 3, sales totaled $498.5 million, down 0.6%.

San Francisco -- Revel Systems, a leading provider of iPad point-of-sale solutions, has opened its first pop-up store, in historic Ghirardelli Square, San Francisco. The initiative is a joint effort between Revel Systems and PopUpShopUp. The Revel pop-up is designed as a multi-use space hosting a variety of QSR & retail businesses that Revel has invited to be given the opportunity to have a physical store for the first time.

Boston -- Gordon Brothers Group and Hilco Merchant Resources have, effective May 8, launched the total liquidation of Coldwater Creek brick-and-mortar stores and its website.

The joint-venture team is conducting closing sales at all Coldwater Creek stores and online, offering 30% to 50% off all items.

Chicago - The fast-casual segment continues to obtain share from full-service chains and drive limited-service growth, making up 15% of the $231 billion limited-service restaurant segment. The “Top 150 Fast-Casual Chain Report” from Technomic shows that fast-casual sales increased 11% in 2013, while all limited-service chains grew by only 3.5%.

Although specialty retailer Cato had a rough March thanks to the shift of Easter from late March last year to mid-April this year, April was a whole other story.

The company reported sales of $93.5 million for the four weeks ended May 3, a 21% jump from sales of $77 million for the four weeks ended May 4, 2013. Same-store sales increased 18% for the month.

Santa Monica, Calif. - Hollister Co. will open the Hollister House this summer, focusing an omni-channel marketing campaign on a beach house that will run from Memorial Day weekend through early August. The retailer will feature new summer styles and host music performances at the house all summer long, with consumers able to follow through Hollister’s social media channels.