eCommerce

Bentonville, Ark. – U.S. Magistrate Judge Erin Setser has recommended that Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and former Wal-Mart CEO Mike Duke face a shareholder lawsuit alleging they concealed corrupt activities at Wal-Mart’s Mexican operation.

The suit, filed by a Michigan pension fund, claims Wal-Mart knew of bribery allegations involving its Wal-Mart de Mexico business in 2005 and conducted an internal investigation in 2005 and 2006, but never notified shareholders.

Westminster, Colo. — The Westminster Economic Development Authority and the city of Westminster, Colorado, have entered into an agreement with OliverMcMillan to redevelop the 105-acre site of the former Westminster Mall.

York, Pa. -- The Bon-Ton Stores Inc. has secured a 743,000-sq.-ft. lease for a direct-to-consumer fulfillment center in West Jefferson, Ohio, with E Smith Realty Partners. The new e-commerce facility is expected to be fully operational and begin shipping orders by spring 2015.

Brisbane, Calif. – Bebe Stores Inc. reported a net loss of $24.3 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2014, an improvement from the net loss of $49.3 million recorded in the same quarter a year earlier.

However, net sales were $93.5 million, a decrease of 17.2% from $112.9 million for the third quarter a year ago.

Same-store sales for the quarter decreased 5.7%.

Niagara Falls, N.Y. — Macerich has announced plans to renovate and expand Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls USA. The project will add nearly 175,000 sq. ft. of retail and bring in 50 new tenants. With approximately 700,000 sq. ft. of top designer brand retailers, the expanded center will be one of the largest outlet malls in the country.

New retailers will include Disney, Forever 21, Helly Hansen, Kenneth Cole, Steve Madden, Swarovski, the Limited, White House|Black Market and others. To date, 77% of the expansion has been leased.

Albuquerque, N.M. -- Consumers can shop for clothes categorized by astrological signs at the newly launched Fashionsofthezodiac.com, described as the world's first online store to organize its clothing and accessories by the 12 signs of the zodiac. The company expects to open a store early next year, in Denver.

New York – Barnes & Noble Inc. reportedly plans to open about 300 new stores on college and university campuses in the next five years. According to Reuters, Barnes & Noble wants to expand its college bookstore footprint from the current 696 locations to 1,000.

Jacksonville, Fla. – Body Central swung to a net loss of $9.3 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2014 from net income of $2.7 million a year earlier. Net revenues decreased 26.6% to $59.7 million, compared to $81.4 million for the first quarter of 2013, and same-store sales fell 26.8%.