eCommerce

Simon is expanding the hugely successful Sawgrass Mills outlet and entertainment center in Florida by adding a new, full-price component.

New York -- Alibaba Group wants small business owners from the United States to sell their merchandise on its e-commerce sites is looking for more American products to sell to Chinese consumers.

“We need more American products,” said Alibaba founder and executive chairman Jack Ma in a speech at the Economic Club of New York on Tuesday.

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Brick-and-mortar stores are still relevant, with 87% of consumers planning to shop physical retail at least as often as they did in 2014, according to a study by TimeTrade Systems.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. – A reduction in selling, general and administrative expenses helped Sears Holdings Corp. reduce its first quarter net loss even as its sales continued to slide. The results came in as the chain prepares for the launch of its real-estate investment trust this week to raise cash. Sears said it expects the REIT transaction to raise $2.6 billion.

Crate & Barrel is joining Toys"R"Us and other retailers shutting down Manhattan flagship locations due to skyrocketing rent prices.

Washington, D.C. -- Father’s Day may not be the most lucrative consumer holiday of the year for retailers. However, according to the new National Retail Federation (NRF) 2015 Father’s Day Spending Survey, spending on Father’s Day is expected to reach $12.7 billion. The survey, conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics, indicates the average person will spend $115.57 on gifts, nearly even with $113.80 in 2014.

Jewelry and accessories retailer Charming Charlie has opened its largest store yet, a three-level, 16,000-sq.-ft. flagship on Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue. Designed in partnership with Callison Architects, Seattle, the store features a two-story, 30-foot tall glass façade and 20-ft. tall double doors in the brand's signature vibrant pink lacquer.

Cincinnati -- Macy’s on Monday announced two more pilot store locations in metro New York City for its new off-price format, Macy’s Backstage. The additional stores brings to six the total number of Macy’s Backstage for launch. All are expected to open in fall 2015 and average about 30,000 sq. ft.

The added locations are at Fordham Place in The Bronx, and Essex Green Shopping Center, West Orange, New Jersey, where an existing Macy’s store will be converted to Macy’s Backstage.