Strategy

New York City -- Belk is investing $150 million to boost online sales and upgrade its IT systems, The Charlotte Observer reported.

The department store operator plans to focus on improving its e-commerce functions and replace its current systems for ordering and allocating merchandise, according to the report.

Belk has sought to boost its online presence in recent years to keep up with competitors in a marketplace where online sales are growing rapidly.

Retailers and developers from around the country are preparing to attend the International Council of Shopping Centers’ New York deal-making convention in New York City on Dec. 6 and Dec. 7. Chain Store Age talked with Ivan L. Friedman, president and CEO of New York City-based retail real estate advisory firm RCS Real Estate Advisors, about what the industry has in store for the New York show and beyond.

As retailers prepare to attend the New York deal-making show in early December, how would you describe the current state of retail?

New York - Anne Fontaine has opened a store at South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa, Calif.  The 1,510 –sq.-ft. shop is based on the company’s New York flagship designed by architect Andree Putman.

The new store combines natural materials and textures that embody the essence of Fontaine’s love of modernity and nature.

"The concept behind the shop is simple; to experience a little bit of the French lifestyle," said designer Anne Fontaine

Boston — EnerNOC, a leading provider of data-driven energy efficiency applications, announced that Sears Holdings has selected EnerNOC's EfficiencySMART Commissioning, which blends traditional commissioning services with real-time, persistent commissioning technology, to drive energy savings at its 2.4 million-sq.-ft. corporate headquarters in Hoffman Estates, Ill., a 2010 Energy Star rated facility.

New York - Gymboree Corp. said Monday it did not receive any offers that top Bain Capital's $1.8 billion bid for the company and so the buyout will proceed.

The allotted time for Gymboree to receive competing offers expired Friday.

"Despite a broad solicitation of potentially interested parties, the Company did not receive any alternative acquisition proposals during the 'go-shop' period," Gymboree said in a statement.