Supply Chain & Merchandising

New York City -- Robert K. Futterman & Associates said that it has arranged a 1,500-sq.-ft. lease with La Colombe Torrefaction at 400 Lafayette Street, located in NoHo.

Scheduled to open in the summer, this will be the third New York City location for the coffee house.   
 

Washington, D.C. -- Import cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports is expected to be up 9% in April over the same month last year, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released Monday by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

Target had forecast a mid-single decline in its March same-store sales, so the 5.5% decline it reported last week was no surprise. The late arrival of Easter is messing with retailers’ sales comparisons, so even though March was a down month for Target, it could have been worse as the comparison with the prior year was a lofty 10.3%. Therefore, last month’s 5.5% decline is a victory of sorts, and March results for retailers overall were better than expected.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- With pricing studies, such as this one, revealing little difference between Walmart and Target, Walmart is looking to distinguish itself from the competition. The retailer announced that it is reinvigorating its price leadership promise, bringing back products its customers have asked for and simplifying its ad match policy. 

New York City -- Walmart is bringing back 8,500 products to the shelves of its U.S. stores and launching a new advertising campaign in a bid to end declining same-stores sales.

Seattle -- Nordstrom opened the doors to its new store in Newark, Del., on Friday.

The 123,000-sq.-ft. store, at Christiana Mall, is the first Nordstrom store in Delaware and will offer a well-edited selection of quality, luxury and designer fashion brands for women, men and children.

"We're thrilled to be opening a store at the Christiana Mall," said Terisha Johnson, store manager. "We look forward to serving the community and providing exceptional shopping experiences for our customers."

Cary, N.C. -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said it has leased 1,626 sq. ft. of restaurant space NY Bagel Café & Deli, which is opening its new store at Shoppes of Kildaire, located in Cary, N.C.

NY Bagel is slated to open this summer, and its addition brings the shopping center to 97% leased.

The 147,651-sq.-ft. Shoppes at Kildaire is anchored by Gold’s Gym and Home Comfort Furniture alongside national retailers such as Trader Joe’s, Staples, Massage Envy and Subway.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Holdings Corp. said Friday that it increased the borrowing amount on its domestic revolving credit facility to $3.275 billion from $2.441 billion.

According to a report by the Associated Press, the maturity date is also extended from June 12, 2012 out to April 7, 2016. The facility also has a lower interest rates and the fee the lender charges Sears for holding available credit was reduced.