eCommerce

When a major mall wants to create a stir, adding a premier department store retailer such as Bloomingdale’s will usually do the trick.

In early November, Chicago-based General Growth Properties announced that it will add Bloomies as an anchor to its Glendale Galleria property, in Glendale, Calif. As well, said GGP, the center will undergo an expansive renovation, incorporating aesthetic updates to both the interior and exterior of the property.

New York City -- Brixmor Property Group said Friday that four national tenants – Books-A-Million, Big Lots, Dick’s Sporting Goods and REI – will occupy former Borders locations in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Michigan and North Carolina.

Bethesda, Md. -- Retail brokerage Streetsense said Monday that Tucson, Ariz.-based fashion re-seller Buffalo Exchange will open its first store in Washington, D.C., in the first quarter of 2012.

Buffalo Exchange leased a two-level, 4,245-sq.-ft. store in the heart of the city’s 14th Street corridor. Streetsense also has been engaged to do the design and interior architecture for the store, which will be its 42nd U.S. location.

 

Mandeville, La. -- Covington, La.-based Stirling Properties said that Coldwater Creek and Buckle have opened at Premier Centre, a 295,000-sq.-ft. grocery-anchored center in Mandeville, La.

Buckle’s 5,000-sq.-ft. store is its 11th location in Louisiana. Coldwater Creek’s 4,833-sq.-ft. store is its fifth in the state.

Lakeland, Fla. -- Columbus, Ohio-based Casto said that Versona Accessories will open its newest store on November 17 at Lakeside Village, in Lakeland, Fla.

The women’s accessories retailer is a concept of The Cato Corp.
 

San Francisco -- Williams-Sonoma announced today that it has acquired Rejuvenation Inc., a manufacturer and retailer of authentic reproduction lighting and house parts, such as doors and cabinet hardware.

Rejuvenation’s lighting fixtures are custom-configured and made-to-order. The brand’s products are sold through its catalog, website and retail stores in Portland, Ore., Seattle and Los Angeles. The transaction price was not disclosed.

City of Industry, Calif. -- Hot Topic Inc. said that its CEO, Lisa Harper, 52, has also been named its board chairwoman.

Former chairman Bruce Quinnell will stay on as chairman of the audit committee, but he will not seek re-election to the board when his term ends in June, the company said.

The company also said Matthew Drapkin was named lead director.
 

New York City -- 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.

DALLAS — The Army & Air Force Exchange Service announced that it is offering several Black Friday deals for military members and their families.

Among the deals being offered are Sony 55" LCD TVs for just $899, HP Pavilion G6 Notebooks for $279, 50% off regularly priced ladies apparel from Izod, Calvin Klein, Michael Kors and others as well as an Xbox 360 4GB gaming systems with built-in Wi-Fi console for just $99. Additionally, all Coach handbags (both in-store and online at shopmyexchange.com) will be 25%off from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

NAPERVILLE, Ill. — OfficeMax Friday announced that Ryan Vero, EVP and chief merchandising officer will be leaving the company effective Dec. 2. The company, which did not specify the reason for Vero's departure, said it has already started its search for a replacement. Michael Lewis, EVP and president of retail, will continue to provide oversight to the marketing and merchandising teams.