Supply Chain & Merchandising

New York -- Winick Realty Group said that Latin Fusion restaurant Blend has signed a lease for 4,284 sq. ft. in Long Island City.

The restaurant is situated at the base of a newly constructed luxury rental building, part of a waterfront residential complex constructed by developer TF Cornerstone.

As part of Chain Store Age’s lead-up coverage to RECon 2012, to be held May 20-23 in Las Vegas, we talked with Forest City’s Joseph Boehm about what his expectations are for the big real estate show. Visit Forest City’s booth at RECon, Central Hall, C10 Union Street.

What are your expectations for RECon 2012 in terms of activity, attitude, priorities?

Houston -- Discount supermarket operator Aldi announced it is preparing to enter the Houston market with 30 new stores over the next three years. The expansion will begin in spring of 2013, with the opening of more than 10 new locations.

With this expanded Texas footprint, Aldi is expected to bring 400 jobs and an investment of over $100 million of capital expenditures to the local community. The first Aldi stores in Houston will open in the spring of 2013, with more than 10 new locations.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Dillard’s net income for the quarter ended April 28 rose to $95 million, from $76.7 million in the year-ago period, setting a company record for profit increases.

Sales rose to $1.55 billion, from $1.47 billion. Same-store sales climbed 5%, the department store retailer’s seventh consecutive quarter of comp increases.

Dillard’s said it saw its greatest strength in the first quarter from the central region of the United States, followed by the eastern and the western regions.
 

New York -- Chocolatier Lindt said Thursday it has opened its new flagship Lindt Chocolate boutique in the landmark Rolex building on Fifth Avenue in New York City.

The 1,245-sq.-ft. store features a comprehensive chocolate selection, as well as Lindt Chocolate Advisors to educate and guide customers through the full experience.

The new store represents Lindt's second Fifth Avenue location and heralds a period of growth and expansion for the company's direct to consumer business.

Seattle -- Nordstrom Inc. reported Thursday that profit for the first quarter edged up just 2.7% to $149 million, compared with $145 million in the same period last year. Results, which were negatively impacted by free shipping offers and promotional initiatives, met internal expectations but missed Wall Street estimates.

Sales soared 13.7% to $2.53 billion, but still missed analysts’ forecast of $2.55 billion. Same-store sales rose 8.5%.

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Costco announced that its board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend on Costco common stock and approved an increase from 24 cents to 27.5 cents per share, or from 96 cents per share to $1.10 per share on an annualized basis.

The quarterly dividend is payable June 8 to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 25.

Costco plans to release its operating results for the third quarter, ended May 6, on May 24.
 

Austin, Texas -- NetSpend Holdings said Thursday it has entered into a distribution agreement with Family Dollar to sell the NetSpend Visa prepaid debit card at the discounter’s store locations nationwide.

Family Dollar and NetSpend plan to make the prepaid cards available in more than 7,200 locations beginning this month, NetSpend officials said.