eCommerce

Los Angeles -- CBRE Group released research findings on Tuesday that showed Hong Kong’s continued top position as the world’s most expensive global retail market, recording prime rents nearly 150% higher than New York City.

London ranked third, with prime rental rates 400% lower than Hong Kong’s.

Fredericksburg, Va. -- Two new merchants will soon be joining the retail lineup at Spotsylvania Towne Centre in Fredericksburg, Va., according to Cafaro Co., based in Youngstown, Ohio.

Soma Intimates and Londons will open this summer in the outdoor shopping district of the complex, The Village at Towne Centre. Londons will open first, occupying just about 2,000 sq. ft. next to Firebirds Wood Fired Grill. By late August, Soma will open its 2,500-sq.-ft. store next to White House | Black Market.

Brisbane, Calif. -- Veteran entrepreneur and executive Narry Singh has been named to the board of directors of Bebe Stores.

Singh, who holds more than 20 years of business experience with a focus on digital entertainment, new media, software and e-commerce, was most recently chief executive of mobile entertainment provider Outfit7.
 

By Rafi Musher, [email protected]

SEATTLE — Amazon has launched its own currency, which customers will be able to use to purchase apps, games and in-app items from the Amazon Appstore and on Kindle Fire.

To celebrate the launch, existing and new Kindle Fire customers in the U.S. have had 500 free Coins — a $5 value — deposited into their Amazon accounts. 

NEW YORK — Ann Taylor has partnered with celebrity Kate Hudson on an exclusive collection set to debut in Ann Taylor stores next week.

To mark the launch of the limited-edition collection, the retailer will host a White Party at Ann Taylor stores nationwide from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, May 22, where guests will be invited to shop the collection. 

The first clients to purchase a piece from the capsule collection during the in-store event will receive an Ann Taylor gift card, courtesy of InStyle.

Dallas -- SRS Real Estate Partners said it has appointed Bob Taylor as senior VP in the New York office.

This is Taylor’s second stint with SRS.  In his first, he directed Hard Rock Café’s national expansion and relocation efforts. Taylor will be focused on tenant and landlord representation for the New York team, and returns to SRS from Cassidy Turley, The Staubach Co., and Staubach Retail.

New York -- Toys "R" Us has appointed Antonio Urcelay, 61, the head of its European operations, as interim CEO, according to a filing the retailer made on Monday with the Securities and Exchange commission, The Record reported.

Urcelay replaces Gerald Storch, who announced in February that he would be stepping. At the time, Storch said he would remain as CEO during the transition. While his role as chief executive ended Sunday, he continues to serve as chairman of the board.