eCommerce

Lone Tree, Col. -- Westwood Financial Corp. has sold the 34,749-sq.-ft. Heritage Hills Shopping Center in Lone Tree, Colo., as part of its efforts to strengthen its strategic investment in new Southeastern U.S. markets. The retail property, located at 9227-9231 Lincoln Ave., was in Westwood Financial’s portfolio for 11 years and sold to Carlisle Properties for $11.4 million.

New York City -- What topics interested retailers most in the first half of 2011? The most popular stories with chainstoreage.com readers from January through June ran the gamut, from the top 10 retail markets for 2011 to Dollar General’s ambitious expansion. Take a look at our top 10 most popular stories: 
 
1. Top 10 retail markets for 2011

Jacksonville, Fla. -- Regency Centers said Tuesday it has closed on the acquisition of Calhoun Commons, a 66,150-sq.-ft. neighborhood shopping center located in Minneapolis and anchored by Whole Foods Market.

The property was purchased in an off-market transaction on July 1 for $21 million from Calhoun Commons Shopping Center Limited Partnership, a subsidiary of Doran Cos. and the original developer of the property.

Last week Janney Montgomery Scott analyst David Strasser downgraded shares of Target to neutral from buy. He offered a litany of things that could go wrong with the Target story, which were subsequently refuted by someone named Will Ashworth on the website “Investopedia.”

The first Target stores in Canada won’t open until 2013, but the company recently announced it retained MDC Partners to lead the development of its overall marketing efforts. According to the company, the MDC integrated team is being led by kbs+p Canada and Veritas Communications, along with support from Northstar Research Partners and BOOM! Marketing. 

LUXEMBOURG — Amazon.com continues to strengthen its global operations with its agreement to acquire The Book Depository International. The Book Depository is a U.K.-based online bookseller offering over six million books for delivery worldwide.

New York City -- Survey results released Tuesday showed that higher salaries, job mobility, and a strong emphasis on “quality of life” benefits are redefining the job market in retail and fashion.

According to 24 Seven’s Fifth Annual Salary Survey, conducted in collaboration with the American Apparel & Footwear Association, 68% of respondents plan to make a career move in the next year, with nearly half already looking for a new job.

Atlanta -- CDC Software Corp. announced Tuesday that Hamburg, Germany-based Hermes Fulfilment, part of multichannel retailer Otto Group, is using the cloud-based CDC e-commerce platform to help deliver e-commerce and multichannel retail services to its global customers.

Already, Hermes Fulfilment is using CDC e-commerce to power the online storefront of Wolford, a global manufacturer and marketer of upscale hosiery, lingerie, and ready-to-wear items. CDC e-commerce’s platform is initially being used in Wolford’s online ordering system.

Boston -- WS Development announced that Aldi will open a new store at Stateline Shopping Center, located in Salem, N.H.

The new store, the grocer’s first in the state, will join a newly opened Lowe’s anchor, as well as Sovereign Bank and NAMCO at the recently redeveloped 232,000-sq.-ft. shopping center.

New York City -- Walgreens’ Duane Reade division on Wednesday will open its most ambitious and elaborate store to date, a flagship in downtown Manhattan. The 22,000-sq.-ft. drug store, located at 40 Wall Street, will have an upscale focus, and feature a number of exclusive services and amenities aimed at the Wall Street clientele.