Consumer Electronics

New York City -- Office Depot will celebrate the grand opening of its new store in Austin, Texas, on Sept. 27.

The new store features a number of upgrades designed with the customer in mind, including colorful and clear signage, and carpeted floors for a warmer feel. The floor plan is simple to navigate with a layout that is intuitive, logical and convenient for the customer to shop.

Schaumburg, Ill. -- Online, club, dollar, toy and consumer electronics retailers, as well as categories such as gift cards, technology, vacations and toys, will all perform well this season, according to Nielsen’s fourth-annual Holiday Shopping Sales Survey.

Across all income levels, only 5% of U.S. households plan to spend more this year, with affluent households (those earning $100,000 or more) leading the way.

Chattanooga, Tenn. -- CBL & Associates Properties said Thursday that it has agreed to acquire Northgate Mall in CBL’s hometown of Chattanooga, for $11.5 million in cash.

The mall was listed for sale through an online auction. CBL anticipates closing on the transaction by Oct. 6.

Columbia, S.C. -- Shopping center owner Edens & Avant said Wednesday that an expanded new Publix will open Sept. 2012 at Sunshine Square retail center in Boynton Beach, Fla.

The centerpiece of the multi-million dollar redevelopment, the new 54,000-sq.-ft. Publix will be more integrated into the overall center, one aspect of a larger plan to improve shopper circulation that also includes enhanced vehicular and pedestrian access.

The existing Publix store is scheduled to close Sept. 24.

Chicago -- Retail sales will rise 3% percent during November and December compared to the year-ago period, but foot traffic will decrease 2.2%, according to ShopperTrak.

ShopperTrak's holiday sales increase prediction follows 19 consecutive months of year-over-year U.S. retail sales growth. The expected increase is moderate compared with the 2010 holiday season's 4.1% sales increase over 2009.

New York City -- Macy's is reducing the size of its store in downtown Pittsburgh from nine floors of retail space to six (plus a mezzanine).

The company has been moving some departments to lower floors since early this year. The store will remain open during the renovations.

"The store is being reconfigured for better flow among departments, making shopping easier and more convenient," the company said in a statement.

New York City -- RadioShack will begin selling Barnes & Noble’s Nook brand of electronic reading devices and accessories at its stores on Oct. 3.

The basic Nook sells for $139, and the color version sells for $249.

 

Short Hills, N.J. -- The Mall at Short Hills, in Short Hills, N.J., is now home to new retailers Omega and Pandora, which opened recently in the regional shopping center. Omega opened a flagship store near Nordstrom on the upper level, and jeweler Pandora opened on the lower level near Macy’s.