News

Simon Property Group will expand several shopping centers in the United States, with plans to invest approximately $1 billion annually in renovations.

Fast-growing retailer shoes.com is on track to generate $300 million in sales after reporting a blockbuster first quarter.

In its first quarterly financial report since consolidating three online businesses under one platform, the company reported an increase in gross revenue of 89% to a record $60 million and a 129% increase in revenue from repeat customers. Gross profit margins remained robust at 44%.

Minneapolis -- Target Corp. is selling its Target Commercial Interiors (TCI) subsidiary, which provides office furnishings and related services for business and commercial clients, to Minneapolis-based Omni Workspace Company, commonly known as A&M Business Interior Services. A&M will operate TCI, which will be renamed on the completion of the acquisition, as a wholly owned subsidiary.

Starbucks has unveiled its new “express” store format, just across from the New York Stock Exchange in downtown Manhattan. The 538-sq.-ft. space is one of the most streamlined in the company’s diverse portfolio.

Sally Beauty Holdings Inc. has confirmed that there was an “illegal intrusion” into the company’s payment card systems. It is the retailer’s second data breach in a little over the year. Here are insights on the breach from four security experts:

Steve Hultquist, chief evangelist at RedSeal, the security analytics company:

Bentonville, Ark. – Walmart will test a free online shipping service in summer 2015 that will serve as a competitor to the Amazon Prime service from Amazon.com. The service will only cost $50 for a year’s subscription, as compared to $99 for Amazon Prime.

Toronto – Canadian Tire Corp. pumped up profit in the first quarter of fiscal 2015, expanding net income 17% to $88.3 million from $75.6 million a year earlier. Improved margins helped inflate net income totals.

Falling petroleum costs helped deflate revenue 2% to $2.51 billion from $2.57 billion, although consolidated same-store sales rose 5.5%. Same-store sales grew at all core retailer banners, including lifts of 4.7% at Canadian Tire, 8.6% at FGL Sports and 5.5% at Mark’s.

Secaucus, N.J. – A reduction in cost of sales helped The Children’s Place Inc. boost net income 15% to $15.6 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2015 from $13.6 million in the same quarter a year earlier. The Children’s Place achieved this increase in profitability even as net sales dropped 1% to $404.9 million, from $410.15 million.

Negative impact of foreign currency exchange fluctuations drove the reduction in net sales. Same-store sales rose 0.7%.

Milwaukee – A sharp reduction in loss from continuing operations, primarily related to the sale of the Rainbow banner to Supervalu, helped Roundy’s Inc. cut net loss to $2.33 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2015, from $4.52 million the same quarter a year earlier. Net sales rose 14% to $981.93 million from $862.69 million, while same-store sales dropped 1.6%.

Allentown, Pa. – Mobile payment is growing, and Millennials and men may be leading the way. According to a recent survey of 1,000 U.S. adults by Harbortouch examining the current state of mobile payment adoption shows that Millennials were the highest percentage of mobile payment users, with nearly 42% falling into that demographic.

In addition, men are twice as likely to use some form of mobile payment compared to women. Of those surveyed who aren't currently using mobile payments, 20% blame payment-related issues.