eCommerce

Canton, Mass. -- Dunkin' Donuts announced the signing of a multi-unit store development agreement with father and son team, Jim and Drew Cownie for 12 new restaurants in Des Moines, Iowa.

The first restaurant is slated to open in 2012 and the remainder by 2018.

SAN FRANCISCO — Williams-Sonoma has acquired Rejuvenation Inc. for an undisclosed price, the company announced last week. Rejuvenation Inc., is a manufacturer of such products as door and cabinet hardware as well as reproduction lighting that is sold through its catalog, website and retail stores in Portland, Ore., Seattle, Wash., and Los Angeles.

NEW YORK — Barnes & Noble announced that it has introduced Nook Tablet, the latest product in its Nook portfolio. According to the company, the Nook Tablet offers access to popular movies, TV shows, music and more through the top entertainment services, including Netflix, Hulu Plus, Pandora and others, plus a collection of high-quality apps, fast Web browsing and email.

MINNEAPOLIS — Best Buy Co. said Monday it is buying out its joint venture partner, Carphone Warehouse Group PLC, in its fast-growing North American mobile business for $1.34 billion. As part of the reorganization of its relationship with the U.S. consumer electronics giant, Carphone Warehouse will shutter the 11 pilot big-box Best Buy stores it opened last year in the United Kingdom.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target shoppers have a new incentive for joining the retailer's REDcard Rewards loyalty program: free shipping on Target.com. In addition, for the first time Target Debit Cards can be used on Target.com, the company said.

NEW YORK — The ways in which the largest U.S. retail brands address the needs of their customers on Facebook and Twitter were unveiled last week in a white paper — Safeway and Sears topped charts; Costco, Kmart, Kroger and Walmart were found wanting, according to Conversocial, a software company that develops social media tools.

BOULDER, Colo.— Kohl’s is the nation’s favorite fashion retail chain, according to an annual consumer survey conducted by Market Force Information, a worldwide leader in customer intelligence solutions. This is the third year in a row that Kohl’s has earned the top spot. Nordstrom ranked as consumers’ second favorite, followed by Macy’s, Dillard’s and JCPenney. Rounding out the top ten were Coldwater Creek (6), Ann Taylor Loft (7), T.J. Maxx (8), Old Navy (9) and Marshalls (10).

The low single-digit apparel-and-accessories comps increase Target reported in October put the company squarely in the middle of the pack with department store and specialty apparel competitors.

Minneapolis -- Target Corp. is adding a new benefit to its REDcard Rewards loyalty program: free shipping on Target.com purchases when guests use their REDcards. In addition, for the first time Target Debit Cards can be used on Target.com.

Target’s REDcard Rewards loyalty program applies to the Target REDcards, including the Target Credit Card, Target Visa Credit Card and Target Debit Card. The program offers guests an extra 5% off Target’s already prices on nearly all items purchased in stores and online when they use a REDcard.

New York City -- Barnes & Noble took the wraps off its Nook Tablet, a $249 tablet for reading e-books, streaming movies and browsing the web. The new tablet, which is lighter and faster than other Nook devices, offers access to popular apps including Netflix, Hulu Plus and Pandora.

Barnes & Noble also on Monday reduced the entry-level price for its Nook line of digital readers to $99.