eCommerce

While I enjoy reading the annual sales predictions and yearly retail real estate outlook columns published each year, they often have a tendency to get bogged down in the details. When forecasting in the medium- to long-term, it’s often best to focus on the big-picture trends — an approach that not only avoids the all-too-common problem of missing the forest for the trees, but provides important insights about where the industry may be headed, not just in six or 12 months, but in six or 12 years.

New York -- A Friday report by Bloomberg said that Office Depot is considering selling the remaining 50% of its Mexican unit to Grupo Gigante SAB, which currently owns the other half.

Citing unnamed sources, Bloomberg reported that Grupo Gigante is in talks with local banks to fund the acquisition of Office Depot de Mexico.
 

Reston, Va. -- Despite the backdrop of continued economic uncertainty, 2012 was a strong year for retail e-commerce, according to comScore’s “2013 U.S. Digital Future in Focus” report. Throughout the year, growth rates versus the prior year remained in the mid-teens to outpace growth at brick-and-mortar retail by a factor of approximately four times.

North Bergen, N.J. -- The Vitamin Shoppe announced that it has closed on the previously announced purchase of Super Supplements, a specialty retailer of vitamins, minerals and supplements for approximately $50 million. The acquisition was funded with available cash. 

The transaction was structured as a purchase of Super Supplements' assets by a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Vitamin Shoppe. Super Supplements is headquartered in Seattle, Washington and operates 31 stores in the Pacific Northwest.
 

New York -- Ralph Lauren Corp. will debut its Denim & Supply retail banner in the United States, opening a store in New York City this spring, according to WWD.com. It will be the first freestanding U.S. location for the brand, which features affordable price points.  

Sidney, Neb. -- Cabela’s Inc. announced plans to open a 42,000-sq.-ft. Cabela’s Outpost store in Waco, Texas.

Construction is scheduled to begin this spring and doors are expected to open this fall. It will be the company’s fourth store in Texas, joining the Fort Worth, Buda and Allen locations.

Ridgefield, Conn. -- Schimenti Construction has added new employees to their staff.

“Our recent growth, and our planning for the future, has resulted in the need to expand our team of construction professionals,” stated Matthew Schimenti, company president.
 
The company has hired Edward Sheeran, project manager; Ryan Lumpuy, superintendent; and Kevin Hanley, estimating coordinator.