eCommerce

Foster City, Calif. – Consumers are spending more money via digital commerce than ever before. According to a new survey from Visa and GfK Research, “The Way We Pay,” more than half of respondents are more comfortable spending money online today than five years ago. The data shows that consumers are spending more than they ever have – exceeding $1 billion per day on the Visa network in 188 days since January.

Centreville, Va. — Lotte Plaza International Grocer has leased 47,000 sq. ft. at the 200,366-sq.-ft. Centreville Square II in Centreville, Va., and plans to open next spring.

The Asian market will join Party Depot, Sleepy’s Mattress Professionals, Five Guys, Wells Fargo, Hair Cuttery and The UPS Store.

West Chester, Pa. - Liberty Interactive Corporation plans to create a QVC Group tracking stock as part of a recapitalization of the Liberty Interactive Group tracking stock. The QVC Group class of common stock will track the value of QVC, Inc. and Liberty's approximate 38% interest in HSN, Inc., along with cash and certain liabilities.

Boston – College students most frequently eat snack foods in the afternoon and are frequently replacing meals with snacks. A new study from marketing agency Fluent shows that 75% of college students replace meals with snacks and afternoon snacking is three times more popular than morning or late night snacking.

Other notable findings of the survey college students age 18-25 include:

New York -- Whole Foods Market has signed a lease for a 29,000-sq-ft. store in Newark, N.J., according to the Newark Star-Ledger.

The store is expected to be an anchor tenant in a 112-year-old landmark building that was once occupied by the Hahne & Co. department store. The building is being converted into a multi-use space that will feature apartments, retail and office space.
The project is a joint partnership between the Newark-based Hanini Group and L&M Development Partners of New York.

Bloomberg Businessweek senior writer Brad Stone has authored a new book about Amazon that is a must read for anyone involved in the retail industry – especially Walmart.

Philadelphia -- More than three-fourths (79%) of retailers expect an increase in sales this holiday season – the highest percentage seen since the financial downturn. That’s according to global management consultancy Hay Group’s seventh annual retail holiday survey, whose results were more optimistic that several other holiday forecasts.

Seattle -- REI announced it will open a 22,000-sq.-ft. store at Keizer Station, Keizer, Ore., this coming spring.

“REI prides itself on expert employees and quality products that enhance anyone’s trip into the great outdoors,” said Kevin House, REI retail director for the Sierra-Cascade district. “The new store at Keizer Station will extend our services and product expertise to 13,300 eager and loyal members in Salem, who previously traveled more than 30 miles to shop at an REI store.”