eCommerce

Black Friday social mentions more than doubled those of Cyber Monday this year. But a new infographic from SAP shows that consumers felt the most excited and happy about Cyber Monday.

The retail industry will lose an estimated $8.76 billion to return fraud this year, and $3.39 billion during the holiday season alone, according to the National Retail Federation’s 2013 Return Fraud Survey. Overall, 5.8% of holiday returns are fraudulent, up slightly from 4.6% last year.

Sears Holdings' plan to spin off Lands' End may have gotten all the attention on Friday, but the retailer’s former hometown and outlet stores division shared results showing how it has fared after receiving similar treatment a year earlier.

New York -- Sales at U.S. chain stores were up 2.1% in November, or 3% without the effects of gasoline sales, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers. The group had predicted an increase of 3.5% to 4.5%.

“Sales were constrained by weak apparel sales this month,” said Michael P. Niemira, chief economist, ICSC. “November was a very competitive environment for retailers, and the softness in the November tally suggests some cautiousness by consumers.”

San Francisco -- Gap Inc. reported its November 2013 net sales increased 8% compared with last year. Same-store sales for the period rose 2%.

Net sales for the four-week period ended November 30, 2013 were $1.63 billion, compared with net sales of $1.52 billion for the four-week period ended November 24, 2012.

Philadelphia -- Five Below reported that its net sales increased by 27.9% to $110.7 million, from $86.6 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2012. Same-store sales rose 9.0%.

Net income was $1.7 million compared to $0.7 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2012.

New York -- J. Crew Group Inc.'s third-quarter earnings rose 6.8% on improved sales.

For the period ended Nov. 2, J. Crew reported a profit of $35.4 million, up from $33.2 million, a year earlier.

Revenue increased 11% to $618.8 million. Same-store sales role 5%.

Retail store sales grew 7.3% to $420.2 million, while direct sales climbed 21% to $189.8 million.

San Francisco -- The RealReal, a leader in online luxury consignment, announced the appointment of Ann Paolini to its leadership team as executive VP of sales. She is joining The RealReal after spending 25 years at Neiman Marcus as a senior executive, and will be responsible for the RealReal's sales team and consignor relations.

Northbrook, Ill. — StreetMac Asset Managers and Five Mile Capital Partners LLC have joined forces to recapitalize Stratford Square Mall in Bloomingdale, Ill.

The 1.3 million-sq.-ft. mall features more than 100 stores and restaurants, a 14-screen cinema complex and national retail anchors including Macy’s, Sears, Carson Pirie Scott, J.C. Penney, Kohl’s and Burlington Coat Factory.

New York — RKF has opened an office in Toronto and named Steven Alikakos president, Canada. RKF’s Canadian expansion comes just weeks after the firm formalized an affiliation with the U.K.-based retail consulting firm CWM Retail Property Advisors.

A growing number of American retailers have launched stores north of the border in recent years, a trend expected to continue. Likewise, the U.S. has seen a wave of expansions from Canadian retailers. RKF hopes to play a role in sustaining and accelerating cross-border retail migration.