eCommerce

Cheshire, Conn. -- WS Development, based in Chestnut Hill, Mass., announced plans to build an open-air shopping, dining and entertainment complex in Cheshire, Conn., called The Outlets at Cheshire.

The center will also include public open space, walkways, recreation amenities, a residential component and full service grocer.  

Fredericksburg, Va. -- Two new merchants will soon be joining the retail lineup at Spotsylvania Towne Centre in Fredericksburg, Va., according to Cafaro Co., based in Youngstown, Ohio.

Soma Intimates and Londons will open this summer in the outdoor shopping district of the complex, The Village at Towne Centre. Londons will open first, occupying just about 2,000 sq. ft. next to Firebirds Wood Fired Grill. By late August, Soma will open its 2,500-sq.-ft. store next to White House | Black Market.

Dallas -- SRS Real Estate Partners said it has appointed Bob Taylor as senior VP in the New York office.

This is Taylor’s second stint with SRS.  In his first, he directed Hard Rock Café’s national expansion and relocation efforts. Taylor will be focused on tenant and landlord representation for the New York team, and returns to SRS from Cassidy Turley, The Staubach Co., and Staubach Retail.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target has become the latest retailer to get its geek on. The discount retailer has teamed up with Warner Bros. Consumer Products, in partnership with DC Entertainment, and will launch an extensive summer collection of exclusive Justice League merchandise. 

NEW YORK — Ann Taylor has partnered with celebrity Kate Hudson on an exclusive collection set to debut in Ann Taylor stores next week.

To mark the launch of the limited-edition collection, the retailer will host a White Party at Ann Taylor stores nationwide from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, May 22, where guests will be invited to shop the collection. 

The first clients to purchase a piece from the capsule collection during the in-store event will receive an Ann Taylor gift card, courtesy of InStyle.

LOS ANGELES — Specialty sporting goods retailer Sport Chalet is looking to public relations boutique agency Formula PR to help establish its brand as a leader within the active lifestyle industry. 

The multi-faceted program will focus on elevating visibility around Sport Chalet’s in-house health and fitness experts, heightening regional awareness through interactive events and custom programs, in addition to connecting with consumers, and positioning the brand as the go-to resource for education, training and gear in the vast sports arena. 

SEATTLE — Amazon has launched its own currency, which customers will be able to use to purchase apps, games and in-app items from the Amazon Appstore and on Kindle Fire.

To celebrate the launch, existing and new Kindle Fire customers in the U.S. have had 500 free Coins — a $5 value — deposited into their Amazon accounts. 

PHOENIX — PetSmart has appointed former Sara Lee executive Carrie Teffner as the company’s new SVP and CFO.

Teffner has more than 20 years of management experience, most recently serving as EVP and CFO at Weber-Stephen Products LLC, a leading manufacturer and exporter of barbecue grills and accessories worldwide.

Reston, Va. -- E-commerce sales grew 13% year-over-year to $50.2 billion, marking the fourteenth consecutive quarter of positive year-over-year growth and tenth consecutive quarter of double-digit growth, according to comScore. It was also just the second quarter on record to surpass $50 billion in spending.

The survey also revealed that nearly half (48%) of time spent in the retail category occurred on mobile devices, with smartphones (34%) outpacing tablets (14%).

New York -- Big M, owner of the Mandee, Annie Sez and Afaze apparel chains, will be sold to YM Inc., Toronto, in a $22.5 million deal expected to be approved by a bankruptcy judge next week, The Record reported.
 
YM operates more than 600 young women’s specialty stores under a variety of banners, including Stitches, Urban Planet, Bluenotes, Siblings, and Sirens.