eCommerce

I mentioned briefly in my last column that I’ve been a little puzzled by what seems to be an industry-wide reluctance to design and develop, and in many cases redevelop centers into, true mixed-use venues. It’s not that our industry doesn’t get excited about mixed-use spaces — they clearly do. But, something is getting lost between the glamorous articles and design concepts, and the real-world execution.

MINNEAPOLIS — Best Buy, which at its recent shareholders' meeting said it would offer more technology services, has announced that it is expanding the Best Buy Mobile brand and store-within-a-store concept into 14 Five Star stores throughout Nanjing, China, this summer.

The expansion of Best Buy Mobile into the Chinese market is the first evolution of Global Connect, a partnership that was formed in November 2011 between Best Buy and Carphone Warehouse.

Fort Worth, Texas -- Fort Worth-based Trademark Property Co. said Tuesday that Dick’s Sporting Goods will open at Alliance Town Center, located in North Fort Worth.

The 50,000-sq.-ft. store will anchor a 140,000-sq.-ft. Phase 2 of the center. Construction on Dick’s is scheduled to begin in July with opening set for summer 2013.

Alliance Town Center, currently 800,000 sq. ft., is a joint venture of Hillwood and Trademark, and is part of the 17,000-acre Alliance, Texas, master-planned community.

Moorestown, N.J. -- Philadelphia-based Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust said that Cinnabon has opened a 210-sq.-ft. kiosk at Moorestown Mall, located in Moorestown, N.J.

Cinnabon opened at Moorestown Mall on the heels of Books for Less, while Play N Trade and Nailery are set to open at the mall this summer.

WAYNE, N.J. — Toys"R"Us has enhanced its loyalty program with the launch of an all-new integrated, point-based system that delivers streamlined benefits for members, as well as new and existing "R"Uscredit card holders.

Goldsboro, N.C. -- Casto announced that Harris Teeter will open a 53,000-sq.-ft. store at Memorial Commons, located in Goldsboro, N.C. It is the grocer’s first store in the market.

Harris Teeter is slated to open late 2013, and will join Office Depot, Subway, Starbucks and T-Mobile.

Memorial Commons, a joint venture of Casto and 1st Carolina Properties, is a new neighborhood center located at the gateway to Wayne Memorial Hospital and Wayne County Community College.
 

New York -- Ritz Camera & Image has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. As part of its restructuring, the company, which has 265 stores in 34 states, plans to close 128 locations and cut its staff of 2,000 in half.

This is the second time Ritz has sought protection under the bankruptcy laws, having emerged from Chapter 11 two years ago.

WAYNE, N.J. — Toys“R”Us has brought the excitement of "The Amazing Spider-Man" to its customers with a dedicated in-store boutiques and a special display at its Times Square location.

Now available at Toys“R”Us and Toysrus.com  are exclusive The Amazing Spider-Man items, including:

• The Amazing Spider-Man Sling & Soak Water Shooter from Hasbro