Supply Chain & Merchandising

New York City -- The International Council of Shopping Centers said it expects holiday sales to increase 3% this year, which is below the 4.1% gain in 2010.

Holiday sales are expected to reach $250.2 billion, the highest since the 2007 peak, when spending totaled $251.7 billion, according to the group, whose forecast is among the first to come out for the holiday 2011 shopping season.

The ICSC predicted that holiday same-store sales will rise 3.5%, slightly lower than the 3.8% pace in 2010.

Lenexa, Kan. -- Retail Group of America, owner of Strasburg Children stores, has announced the appointment of Joanna B. Shawver as VP real estate. She will lead the company’s real estate expansion strategy in the United States.

Shawver brings more than 20 years of commercial real estate experience to her new role, with specialties in tenant representation and shopping center leasing. Most recently, she was VP leasing with RED Development, a Kansas City and Phoenix-based real estate development firm.
 

NEW YORK — Walmart is bringing back its layaway program this holiday season, responding to pressures on low income consumers, MarketWatch reported.

Walmart, which canceled the program in 2006, except for fine jewelery, based on costs and limited use, is bringing back the program at its Walmart U.S. stores for Oct. 17 to Dec. 16 for electronics and toys, according to the report.

Hong Kong -- On the heels of a 98% drop in its yearly earnings, Esprit Holdings said it is divesting its North American businesses and exiting three major European markets.

The company said it is actively looking for a partner willing to acquire its North American operations, which include 93 stores in the United States.

Houston -- Baker Katz, an X Team International partner and full-service commercial real estate brokerage firm, announced that it has completed a lease for the first Gold’s Gym Express in Victoria, Texas.

Located in the Northcross Shopping Center, Gold’s Gym Express is occupying 18,710 sq. ft. of the former H-E-B Grocery space, and joins Ashley’s Furniture HomeStore, Jason’s Deli, Dollar Tree and GameStop.

Suffern, N.Y. -- Ascena Retail Group, owner of the Dressbarn, Maurices and Justice chains, reported Wednesday that net income for the quarter ended July 30 fell to $28.2 million, from $42 million in the year-ago period on one-time charges and a shorter quarter for the performance slide.

Rockville, Md. -- Federal Realty Investment Trust announced that Ellwood Thompson’s has finalized a lease to open a local, organic market at Rockville Town Square in Rockville, Md.

The new grocer will operate under the name Dawson’s Market and the store is slated to open spring 2012.

Dawson’s Market at Rockville Town Square will house approximately 15,000 sq. ft. of local and organic produce, meats, cheeses, prepared foods and baked goods.
 

FORT WORTH, Texas — Pier 1 reported sales and earnings growth for its second quarter, leaving president and CEO, Alex Smith confident about the future of the company heading into the holiday season.