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IN BRIEF

Dollar Tree may raise price point

Dollar Tree Stores, the only U.S. retail chain with the word “dollar” in its name that still sells exclusively $1-priced merchandise, is considering multiple price points now that it has closed its $30.5 million acquisition of the 138-store Deals chain from Supervalu. Dollar Tree is currently updating the look of the Deals stores and considering the introduction of products costing over $1 to broaden the merchandise mix, CFO Kent Kleeberger said at an investor conference. “The home run of the multiple price point is, it opens up a huge universe of closeout opportunities, not only for Deals but for Dollar Tree as well,” he said. The company operates about 3,100 Dollar Tree stores in the U.S.

L.L. Bean makes a bold move

Freeport, Maine-based L.L. Bean says it will open two Downeast outdoor gear and clothing stores in Massachusetts by 2008. The first of these is slated for completion in the fall of next year in Mansfield, and the second is to open in Dedham in the spring of 2008. Each will measure about 30,000 square feet. L.L. Bean announced plans to open its first Massachusetts store in February at the Wayside Commons, in Burlington. The outdoor-apparel retailer currently operates one store each in Maine, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey and Virginia, and 14 outlet stores in the Northeast. The company plans to open stores in Connecticut, New York and Pennsylvania. CEO Chris McCormick says the expansion in Massachusetts is part of a plan to “establish a similar presence throughout southern New England, New York and the mid-Atlantic.”

Kroger thrives despite Wal-Mart

Kroger is holding its own against aggressive supercenter expansion, said David B. Dillon, the supermarket chain’s chairman and CEO, at the annual shareholders meeting. Cincinnati-based Kroger operates at least nine stores in each of 44 major U.S. markets. Last year the chain was No. 1 or No. 2 in terms of market share in 35 of those areas and was able to swell its slices by 35 basis points overall, said Dillon. Kroger was particularly effective in fending off advances by Wal-Mart Supercenters, he said. For the first quarter, ended May 20, Kroger’s same-store sales exceeded expectations, up 7.2 percent (5.6 percent excluding fuel sales). Kroger upgraded its same-store sales forecast for this year to 4 percent (excluding fuel sales), up from a previous projection of 3.5 percent. Kroger operates 2,483 supermarkets.

Fred Segal to open in Las Vegas

Fred Segal, a Los Angeles-based boutique cherished by celebrities, is coming to Las Vegas. This is its first time setting up shop outside California. When the 6 million-square-foot W Las Vegas opens in 2009, a 100,000-square-foot Fred Segal store will be operating there.

Neiman’s new Cusp concept

Barneys New York has been successful targeting younger shoppers with its trendy Co-Op concept, and now archrival Neiman Marcus Group is launching its own youth-oriented concept called Cusp. The first Cusp store opened in July in a 9,500-square-foot space at The Macerich Co.’s Tysons Corner Center, outside Washington, D.C. Three additional Cusp stores are slated to open within the next 12 months, including units at Westfield Group’s Century City, in Los Angeles; and on M Street in Washington, D.C.’s Georgetown district. The company has plans for a fourth store, but that location has yet to be determined, Neiman told Women’s Wear Daily. Unlike Neiman’s full-line stores, Cusp will sell a limited assortment of luxury apparel, accessories and jewelry. If the pilot stores succeed, Cusp could become Neiman’s growth vehicle, the company told the newspaper, because the full-line stores have reached saturation.