eCommerce

NEW YORK — Wal-Mart Stores said that by the end of the year it will have invested the equivalent of approximately $756 million to expand its operations in Brazil.

Marcos Samaha, president of Wal-Mart's Brazilian subsidiary, said in a Tuesday statement that 1.2 billion reals ($755 million) will be used to build 80 stores, renovate existing locations and improve logistics.

City of Commerce, Calif. -- Los Angeles outlet shopping mall Citadel Outlets has named a new marketing team.
       
Traci Markel has been named marketing director and Simone O’Connor has been named marketing and special events manager.  The Citadel marketing team also includes Veronica Garzaro, marketing and domestic tourism manager, and Kristina Carlson, international tourism sales manager.
       

Wilkes-Barre, Pa. -- Metro Commercial announced that it has inked a new lease for Banana Republic Outlet at Arena Hub Plaza, located in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

The new, 7,380-sq.-ft. store is slated to open in fall 2011. Other tenants in the 524,000-sq.-ft. power center include Lowe’s, Best Buy and PetSmart.

New York City -- For the second month in a row, Best Buy had to tell customers that their email addresses were compromised.

The chain said that a former business partner’s files containing email addresses of some Best Buy customers were accessed without authorization. Best Buy said it would take legal action but it did not name the vendor involved.

Boston -- Clothing and accessories retailer Metro Park has filed for bankruptcy and is closing all 69 stores nationwide.

The store closings and liquidations begin on May 6. Gordon Bros. Group and Hilco Merchant Resources are running the going-out-of business sales for the retailer.

Based in Los Angeles, Metro Park was founded in 2000. Specializing in upscale trendy fashions, Metro Park has been feeling the heat of increased competition from such fast-fashion retailers as H&M.
 

AUSTIN, Texas -- Whole Foods investors got some big news today, not only did the company report that sales for its second quarter rose 12% to $2.4 billion, it announced that is changing its trading symbol to WFM from WFMI effective May 6.

Walmart.com EVP Steve Nave and online grocer Peapod’s COO Mike Brennan are slated to share the stage at Nielsen’s upcoming Consumer 360 conference in Orlando June 20 to 22 during a session moderated by Adam Lashinsky, Fortune’s editor-at-large.

Shoppers looking to buy an e-reader for mom this week had an interesting choice to make. They could pay $149 for a Nook at Walmart or go to Target or Best Buy and pick up a Kindle for $114. Target and Best Buy offered the Wi-Fi-enabled Kindle version capable of holding up to 3,500 books, and Target even featured the device on the cover of its weekly ad with a large photo. Walmart opted for a similar strategy and featured the Wi-Fi-enabled Nook capable of holding 1,500 books for $149 on the cover of its circular.

Sam's Club this week is promoting itself as a small business leader and has announced several initiatives in honor of National Small Business Week May 16 to 20. The company said it would donate up to $200,000 to organizations supporting entrepreneurs. In addition the company is offering a limited-time, lower-cost membership deal for small business owners.

I’m not much of a follower of astrology and the signs of the zodiac, but I do know that 2011 is the Year of the Rabbit on the Chinese calendar.

It seems somehow fortuitous that speed and agility define a year that is all about economic recovery. And retail is moving forward at a rate that, while not exactly hare-like, is at least faster than the proverbial tortoise.