eCommerce

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation has been outspoken in its criticism of credit card fees and now a group called the Electronic Payments Coalition that represents credit unions,banks and payment card networks is firing back, claiming that the retail lobby is making false statements regarding checkout fees.

NEW YORK — A new line of apparel, toy and specialty goods inspired by Nickelodeon's Dora Rocks! is now avaible exclusively at Target stores and on Target.com through April.

"We are excited to bring the Dora Rocks! experience to Target's guests," said Ron Johnson, SVP retail development, Nickelodeon Consumer Products. "Dora Rocks! extends the interactivity kids and parents have come to expect from the show, bringing Dora into their homes with specially designed products."

Items available exclusively at Target include:

NEW YORK — Michael Cunningham, Aeropostale president, is retiring effective March 29, the company announced Tuesday. 

New York -- Aeropostale announced the retirement of president Michael Cunningham, effective March 29. He will remain on the board of directors.

Deerfield, Ill. — Walgreens Tuesday morning reported January sales of $6.2 billion, an increase of 6.3% as compared to the same month in fiscal 2012.

Prescriptions filled at comparable stores increased by 13.6% in January and increased 11.6% on a day-fall adjusted basis. This year's January had one additional Wednesday and Thursday and one fewer Sunday and Monday compared with January 2012, positively impacting prescriptions filled in comparable stores by 2 percentage points.

New York -- Douglas Elliman's Retail Group said Tuesday it has arranged the lease for Oro Gold Cosmetics' first New York flagship at 118 East 57th Street, between Park and Lexington Avenues.

The retailer currently operates 50 dedicated boutiques and spas in affluent markets worldwide, including London, Barcelona, Moscow, Dubai and Singapore, as well as in such U.S. cities as Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas, Boston, Miami and throughout California, from San Diego to Sacramento.

New York -- Winick Realty Group said Tuesday it has been appointed the exclusive broker for Desi Shack, a fast-casual South Asian restaurant concept with one current location in Midtown East.

Desi Shack plans to open two more locations within the next 12 months, seeking sites measuring 600 sq. ft. to 1,500 sq. ft. in the Financial District, Midtown East, Midtown West, Flatiron, Union Square, the Upper East Side and the Upper West Side of Manhattan.

Frenchtown Township, Mich. -- Youngstown, Ohio-based Cafaro Co. said Monday that rue21 will open a new store at Mall of Monroe, located in Frenchtown Township, Mich.

The 5,700-sq.-ft. store is slated to open June 2013 in the mall’s south concourse, and will be the only rue21 location in Monroe County.

Cafaro also said that The Monroe Expo Center opened Feb. 4, converted from a former retail use to a 51,000-sq.-ft. event space.

New York -- Fidelity, the Boston-based investment firm, has bought a 10% stake in C. Wonder, according to Women’s Wear Daily. Founded by Christopher Burch in 2011, the company has since expanded to 10 locations and also operates pop-up stores.

Burch has big plans for C.Wonder, which sells a mix of apparel, accessories and home goods, all under its own label. According to previous reports, he plans to expand it to 50 to 100 stores by the end of 2014, including locations abroad.

Arlington, Va. -- The passage of comprehensive tax reform and a more level playing field between online retailers and Main Street retailers for sales tax collection top the Retail Industry Leaders Association’s public policy priorities for 2013.

According to RILA, the retail industry pays among the highest domestic effective tax rates at 36.4% more than 10 percentage points higher than the average for all other industries.