eCommerce

New York -- Help CSA determine the Most Innovative Retail Store of 2013 by voting for one of the five stores below. (For photos and info on the nominees, go to chainstoreage.com/multimedia.)

Rugged boot manufacturer Wolverine has opened a permanent store in New York's Nolita at 254 Elizabeth St. The company decided to give the retail space a try following its successful New York pop-up venture in fall 2012.

Austin, Texas – More than nine-in-10 (91%) holiday shoppers admit to overspending on presents, according to a new survey from RetailMeNot, with 60% of overspenders saying they do so because they thought giving a gift the person would love was worth the extra money.

Beachwood, Ohio — DDR Corp. has closed a previously announced acquisition of a portfolio of 30 power centers from a joint venture with Blackstone Real Estate Partners VII L.P. and settled its forward equity sale. DDR acquired Blackstone’s 95% share.

The company funded the investment through a combination of proceeds from the issuance of new common equity and unsecured debt, preferred equity and mezzanine loan repayments and the assumption of existing mortgage debt.

Apparel, cosmetics and home furnishings retailer Dillard’s is offering a custom edition of the Southern Living Christmas Cookbook to benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities. 

The exclusive, 288-page hardbound cookbook is filled with holiday recipes, color photos, menus, decorating tips and entertaining ideas and costs $10. It is available at all Dillard’s stores nationwide, as well as online. Proceeds from the sale of the cookbooks will benefit local Ronald McDonald Houses operated by RMHC Chapters in Dillard’s markets.

By Yaromir Steiner

Staples has acquired Runa, a software company based in San Mateo, Calif., that helps online retailers increase sales by personalizing the shopping experience. Terms and conditions of the acquisition were not disclosed.