Consumer Electronics

Whitehouse, Ohio -- Devonshire REIT announced the acquisition of three shopping centers at a total cost of $69.75 million: Maple Hill Mall in Kalamazoo, Mich., Alpine Summit Shopping Center in Grand Rapids, Mich. and Northwest Crossings Shopping Center in Knoxville, Tenn.  

Westport, Conn. -- Charter Realty & Development said that it has leased space in Parker Harding Plaza in Westport, Conn., to The Shade Store. The Shade Store took 1,600 sq. ft., joining area tenants Patagonia, Nike, J Crew, GAP, Vineyard Vines, Pottery Barn, Coach, Talbots, Williams-Sonoma, Brooks Brothers, Sunglass Hut, Starbucks and many more.    

By Craig Johnson, Customer Growth Partners   With a third straight year of dismal retail spending, American consumers will generate only a lackluster 3.4% year-over-year increase in holiday sales, well below the 5% pace in 2010 and 2011, according to Customer Growth Partners’ 14th Annual Holiday Forecast.   

When it comes to science and learning, it’s ok to fool around, according to Barnes & Noble.  The nation’s largest retail bookseller and the provider of digital content and educational products is launching a one-of-kind Educational Toys and Games Science Center in select stores nationwide and online. 

New York -- Canadian consumer electronics retailer Future Shop, a subsidiary of Best Buy, will open its third small-format store, in Cornwall, Ontario, in November. The 8,000-sq.-ft. store  represents the evolution of its small-format that focuses on providing integration between in-store and online and a seamless customer experience. The updates layout features an open view to the back warehouse, a modernized esthetic and a creative use of warm colours that all contribute to an inviting shopping experience.

Consumer electronics retailer Adorama is the latest company to join with Google Express to offer same day delivery in Manhattan.

Customers can now have their purchases of computers, tablets, smartphones, cameras, even TVs and home theaters, delivered right to their door on the same day they order. Google Express is currently offering a three-month free trial on eligible orders over $15 for new members or use the service for $4.99 per order on eligible orders over $15. 

Waterbury, Conn. –- Likely spurred by back-to-school needs, consumers increased their spending on books 13% in the third quarter of 2014 compared to the same quarter the prior year. According to the quarterly Chase Freedom Lifestyle Index quarterly barometer of consumer trends based on aggregated Chase Freedom cardholder spending data, spending at craft stores (up 7%) also rose significantly in the quarter.  

San Mateo, Calif. –- Last year, Black Friday was the top date for “card present” (CP) fraud, where a payment card is presented in a store for unauthorized usage. Data science company Feedzai analyzed data representing $750 billion in payment volume and more than 17.5 billion transactions in both card present (CP) and card not present (unauthorized online card purchases, or CNP) environments.