Sales & Marketing

New York -- Since 2009, retail sales at North America’s 205 outlet centers have increased from $19.9 billion to $27.6 billion, an increase of $7.7 billion, according to an International Council of Shopping Centers report.

Six publicly traded REITs with notable outlet center portfolios have benefited from outlet center success, according to SNL Financial. They are:

By Maria Haggerty, president, Dotcom Distribution

More than 1,000 U.S. merchants will offer free shipping this Dec. 18 on all orders with guaranteed delivery by Christmas. Just six days before Christmas, free shipping day attracts troves of last-minute shoppers looking for a good deal and generated more than one billion dollars in online sales last year.

Higher sales, including mid-single digit comparable -sales growth, helped drive Ann Inc.’s third quarter results.  

The company posted third-quarter earnings of $41.2 million, compared to $40.7 million in the year-earlier quarter. Net sales grew 7% to $657.3 million from $612.5 million. Total same-store sales increased 3.7%. By brand, same-store sales inched up 0.6% at Ann Taylor and 5.6% at Loft. However, sales fell 6.9% in the Ann Taylor Factory channel.

Tucson, Ariz. — Gordon’s Dollar Plus Store has signed a lease for a 2,586-sq.-ft. apace at River Crossing in Tucson. Gordon’s Dollar Plus Store is licensed by Discount Dollar Store Services of Las Vegas. Plans call for the new store to open in mid-December.

Commercial Retail Advisors represented the landlord, La Cholla and River Road Associates in the transaction. DDSS Real Estate represented the tenant.

Milwaukee – Harley-Davidson is debuting a new Pinterest pinboard at Pinterest.com/harleydavidson. The pinboard features holiday gifts as well as 2014 bikes, custom items, and parts and accessories.

Starting Nov. 26 and running through Dec. 24, people can create their own pinboard with Harley-Davidson items. Harley-Davidson will pick nine weekly winners at the $25-$200 level and one $10,000 grand prize winner with no purchase necessary.

Greensboro, N.C. -- The Fresh Market posted weaker than expected sales and earnings for its third quarter. The upscale grocer also reduced its guidance for the year.

For the 13-week quarter ended Oct. 27, net income was up some 1.8%, to $11.1 million.

Net sales grew 13.4%, to $364.5 million. Comparable-store sales increased 3.1%.

Bangalore, India - Tata Starbucks Limited, the 50/50 joint venture between Starbucks Coffee Company and Tata Global Beverages Limited, opens a new India flagship store in Bangalore on Saturday, Nov. 23.

In addition to the flagship store at Koramangala, Tata Starbucks Limited will open two more stores by the end of the year at Phoenix Market City and Orion Mall at Brigade Gateway in Bangalore.

Pleasanton, Calif. -- Ross Stores Inc. reported third-quarter profit of $171.6 million, up from $159.5 million a year earlier, on higher sales and gross margins. Looking ahead to the fourth quarter, the off-retailer forecast earnings below Street estimates and said it was adopting a more cautious outlook for the quarter.