eCommerce

Rumors that Target would open in San Francisco’s Metreon center have now been confirmed: Terranomics announced it has brokered a signed lease for Target to open in the Wesfield-owned center.

The lease for 99,677 sq. ft. was only just officially signed, San Francisco Business Times reported. The Metreon will soon begin construction on a multi-million dollar remodel that will make room for Target, and will recreate the ground level as a food collection of Bay Area restaurant concepts.

New York City -- Gap has chosen Manhattan's Upper West Side for its second freestanding Athleta store, Crain’s New York Business reported.

The report said has signed a lease to open a 3,500-sq.-ft. Athleta at 216 Columbus Ave. at W. 70th Street. The store will open in the fall, and Gap is already seeking more New York area locations, according to Crain's.

Gap bought Petaluma-based Athleta, a catalog and website that sell women's athletic clothes, for $150 million in 2008.

Dedham, Mass. -- Party goods retailer iParty Corp. reported Wednesday a loss of $1.51 million in the quarter ended March 26, compared with a loss of $1.49 million in the year-ago period.

Revenues for the quarter edged up 1.7% to $15.1 million. Same-store sales dipped 1.1%.

iParty Corp. operates 53 iParty retail stores in New England and Florida.

Gap Inc. wants international and online sales to account for 30% of its revenues within two years and a restructuring announced this week is expected to play a role in facilitating that growth.

The company said it would consolidate four existing international business units into one under the leadership of Stephen Sunnucks, a 30-year retail veteran who joined Gap five years ago.

San Francisco -- Gap said Tuesday that it is establishing an international division, based in London, to ramp up overseas growth, and will open its first Old Navy stores abroad -- in Japan -- by 2012.

Gap said it has set a goal for international and online sales to make up 30% of its total by 2013, up from 22% in 2010 and 14% in 2006. The new international division will oversee stores across Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, Asia Pacific and South America.

New York City -- A report Monday by the Wall Street Journal said that Dish Network Corp. will assume leases on more than 500 Blockbuster stores after it completes its acquisition of the video-rental chain.

The lease takeovers will assure that Blockbuster will maintain some physical presence.

In a filing with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Manhattan, Blockbuster also listed hundreds of locations where it plans to reject leases, as its number of open stores continues to dwindle.

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- 3M announced that it has launched the first-of-its kind Scotch Magic Eco-Friendly Tape.

Scotch Magic Eco-Friendly Tape (including refillable dispenser, packaging and tape) is made from more than 75% renewable or recycled materials, the company reported. The boxed refill roll, including packaging, is made from more than 65% renewable or recycled materials. 

MATTHEWS, N.C. -- Family Dollar Stores announced that it has named Brad Rogers to the position of VP real estate development. Rogers will report to Keith Gehl, SVP real estate and facilities.

“Accelerating new store growth is a key element of our strategic agenda,” said Gehl. “Through Brad’s leadership we will continue our aggressive growth in both new and existing markets to provide budget-conscious customers with a compelling shopping experience in more areas of the country.”

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- eBay announced that its is now offering limited-time pricing for broken or damaged iPods, iPhones and iPads through its Instant Sale program. Additionally, eBay said it will offer every user that sends in their device -- broken or not -- a bonus $5 eBay gift card and a matching $5 donation to Global Green USA.

Through April 30, eBay Instant Sale will begin paying up to $150 for broken iPads, $100 for iPhones, and $50 for iPods. 

BRISBANE, Calif. -- Walmart announced that it has acquired the services of Kosmix, a Mountain View, Calif.-based company to grow its multi-channel strategy.