Sales & Marketing

Schaumburg, Ill. -- Online, club, dollar, toy and consumer electronics retailers, as well as categories such as gift cards, technology, vacations and toys, will all perform well this season, according to Nielsen’s fourth-annual Holiday Shopping Sales Survey.

Across all income levels, only 5% of U.S. households plan to spend more this year, with affluent households (those earning $100,000 or more) leading the way.

New York City -- Apparel designer Yigal Azrouel will open its first freestanding store, for its Cut25 lower-priced, younger collection, in the Soho South area of Manhattan.

Prudential Douglas Elliman’s Retail Group arranged a lease at 129 Grand Street, between Broadway and Crosby Street, for the new store. The opening date hasn’t yet been announced.

 

Chicago -- Amid economic uncertainty and low consumer confidence levels, retail CFOs are expecting a 3% increase in total 2011 sales, according to a recent survey by BDO USA, LLP. While the number reflects the study’s most optimistic sales forecast since 2007, it is down from the 4.7% sales increase reported by the Commerce Department in 2010.

Walnut Creek, Calif. -- Grubb & Ellis Co. said that Bay Area Family Fitness Centers has leased 38,133 sq. ft. of retail space at Gould Shopping Center, in San Jose, Calif.

The space will serve as the second location for the company, which markets affordable fitness. It is expected to open by year-end.
 

CINCINNATI — Kroger announced that it has become a member of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Million Dollar Club.

According to Kroger, membership into the USHCC Million Dollar Club, is awarded to corporations who have spent between $25 million to over $500 million with Hispanic suppliers, in the previous year.

This is Kroger's second consecutive year of qualifying for membership. The company was inducted in the $250 to $500 million annual expenditure category.

Chattanooga, Tenn. -- CBL & Associates Properties said Thursday that it has agreed to acquire Northgate Mall in CBL’s hometown of Chattanooga, for $11.5 million in cash.

The mall was listed for sale through an online auction. CBL anticipates closing on the transaction by Oct. 6.

Savannah, Ga. -- Citi Trends said Friday that it would cut jobs and open fewer stores than it planned in an effort to save money after losing $10 million in the second quarter. The company said it would open new stores only where it had already made commitments, resulting in about 55 new locations in 2011 and five in 2012.

The company also said it would cut 40 jobs at its stores, distribution centers and corporate offices in Savannah, Ga.

Canton, Mass. -- Dunkin' Brands Group, parent to Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins, said Friday that its international president Neal Yanofsky has resigned the company by mutual agreement.

Dunkin’s has initiated a search for his replacement. In the interim, CEO Nigel Travis will assume reporting responsibility for Dunkin' Donuts International, and Neil Moses, Dunkin' Brands CFO, will assume responsibility for Baskin-Robbins International.