Retail

New York -- Despite the availability of retail technology, price and product selection are still the largest factors influencing shopper decisions, according to an annual study by global IT services and consulting firm Cognizant. Fifty-five percent of shoppers will leave a store to look online or shop another store if they think a price seems too high, and 21% will ask for a price match.
 

Los Altos, Calif. -- Catalog Spree, the personal digital mall that lets consumers browse and shop their favorite brands, has teamed with Google to distribute interactive retail catalogs and lookbooks on the web through Lightbox Ads. These targeted ads will feature Catalog Spree's full-page catalogs and lookbooks, and will be distributed on the Google Display Network, which reaches more than 100 million American consumers.

San Jose, Calif. – Retailers will gain $81 billion from the “Internet of Everything,” which is the term given to the connectivity of an increasing number of people, processes and things, in 2013. But according to new research from Cisco Systems, Inc., this only reflects 45% of the potential return.

Retailers will gain $81 billion from the “Internet of Everything,” which is the term given to the connectivity of an increasing number of people, processes and things, in 2013. But according to new research from Cisco Systems, Inc., this only reflects 45% of the potential return.

Beachwood, Ohio — DDR Corp. has closed a previously announced acquisition of a portfolio of 30 power centers from a joint venture with Blackstone Real Estate Partners VII L.P. and settled its forward equity sale. DDR acquired Blackstone’s 95% share.

The company funded the investment through a combination of proceeds from the issuance of new common equity and unsecured debt, preferred equity and mezzanine loan repayments and the assumption of existing mortgage debt.

Las Vegas — Miracle Mile Shops on the Las Vegas Strip has launched, a new leasing website that provides prospective tenants with detail about the 475,000-sq.-ft retail property surrounding Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino.

Live now, the website highlights the center’s sales per sq. ft. for current retail and dining operations, two live entertainment venues and 3,700 hotel rooms with 98% occupancy at the connected Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino and Hilton Grand Vacations Elara.

Rochester, Minn. - Tile Shop Holdings has appointed Chris Homeister to the newly created position of COO, effective immediately. In this role, Homeister will oversee supply chain, retail operations and merchandising.

Homeister previously served as the GM and senior VP of Best Buy's Entertainment Business Group, where he led all elements of this multi-billion dollar business across retail and online channels.

Mars Chocolate North America has unveiled a new line of candies in several flavors just in time for Halloween.

The candy maker announced the release of its latest line, which includes Snickers peanut butter pumpkin-based singles, as well as jack-o-lantern-shaped Snickers-brand pumpkin, available in two packs. The company is also releasing a new large variety bag of Snickers Fun Size canned, available in Snickers Original, Almond and Peanut Butter Squared bars.