Retail Briefs

This week's in-store launch of the Isaac Mizrahi home furnishings collection at Target focuses on his signature photographic techniques in printing, a strong color palette and products ranging from home textiles to tabletop and furniture.

Called “Isaac in the House,” the collection expands Target's year-old apparel program with the designer.

The company has grand opened its first batch of new stores for the year on March 6 — 26 stores in 18 states.

The openings coincided with the rollout of the retailer's new spring set, which includes the debut of a reconfigured home department. The new Fieldcrest collection also will debut, along with lifestyle-segment merchandising.

Wal-Mart reported same-store sales rose 4 percent in February.

The gain in same-store sales was attributed to customers purchasing more during their visits, along with strong sales of Easter items and food.

Wal-Mart said sales in the Northeast were hurt by snowstorms and credited the Southeast as its best performing region.

JCPenney is opening new stores in Chesapeake, Va., El Centro, Calif., and Montgomery, Ala., on March 9.

The 105,000-square-foot Chesapeake store is located in the Greenbrier Mall, 1401 Greenbrier Pkwy; the 78,000-square-foot El Centro store is located at 3351 South Dogwood in the Imperial Valley Mall; and the 94,000-square-foot Montgomery store is located in the Eastdale Mall, 1236 Atlanta Highway.