Retail

Ask 728 people whether shopping on a smartphone or tablet is more attractive than visiting a retail location and more than half will say that it is, according to the 2013 Mobile Commerce Study produced by Hipcricket, a Kirkland, Wa.-based provider of unified mobile engagement platforms.

New York — Faith Hop Consolo, chairman of Douglas Elliman’s Retail Group has taken her seat as a member of the 2014 board of directors of the Commercial Real Estate Women’s (CREW) Network on Oct. 9, at CREW Network’s annual Convention and Fall Council Meeting in Dallas. Her term begins January 1, 2014.

CREW Network is the largest commercial real estate association for women and represents approximately 8,200 women leaders in 74 markets throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Richfield, Minn. – Best Buy is reportedly planning a major promotion to boost sales of the iPhone 5c and 5s the week of Oct. 13. According to TechnoBuffalo, an internal corporate memo indicates that consumers who trade in select smartphones that week will receive a $100 credit that can be used to cover the down payment on a new iPhone 5c or 5s.

Lumber Liquidators spokesman Clint Roberts responded to sister publication HCN's requests for comment regarding the ongoing federal investigation into its sourcing practices. Multiple reports have suggested that the investigation is linked to the Environmental Investigation Agency, which claims the retailer is purchasing wood illegally in protected forests in Far East Russia.

New York – Halston is launching its digital flagship store in more than 80 countries today, including the U.S., and Canada. The vertical e-commerce site will feature Halston Heritage apparel and accessories. The brand is also expanding its physical presence, with plans to expand to more than 20 locations by yearend.

New York -- U.S. chain-store sales posted a gain of 4.0% for the fiscal month of September on a year-over-year basis according to a tally compiled by the International Council of Shopping Centers. Excluding gasoline sales, the September tally would actually be +5.1%.

Fremont, Calif. – The Men’s Wearhouse has appointed B. Michael Becker to its board of directors. Becker has served as a director at Vitamin Shoppe, Inc. since January 2008 and is chairman of its audit committee.

Becker spent his career as an audit partner for Ernst & Young LLP from 1979 until his retirement in 2006. He was a senior consultant on airline risks to Pay Pal, Inc. from August 2008 to November 2009.

Indianapolis — Simon Property Group has announced the grand re-opening of the redeveloped The Shops at Nanuet, a 750,000-sq.-ft. open-air main street center in Rockland County, N.Y.

With the re-opening, three new anchors are making a debut: Fairway Market, open now, Regal Cinemas, opening in November, and 24-Hour Fitness, opening in December. They will join existing anchors Macy’s and Sears at the property.