eCommerce

NEW YORK — While holiday retail sales will remain flat or only slightly up from last year, emerging consumer buying trends will have significant implications for retailers, according to a new survey from Booz & Co.

Suffern, N.Y. -- Ascena Retail's net income plunged 94% in its fiscal fourth quarter, dragged down by costs related to its acquisition of Charming Shoppes Inc. Its adjusted earnings topped Wall Street's view.

Ascena, owners of the Dressbarn, Maurices and Justice, announced in May that it was buying Charming Shoppes, whose divisions include Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug and Catherines Plus for approximately $890 million. Ascena is in the process of closing Fashion Bug's stores.

Dallas -- SRS Real Estate Partners has been selected to represent Shopko in the disposition of its outlot properties and vacant properties in 19 states across the Midwest and western United States.

The outlots range in size from 14,000 sq. ft. to 219,000 sq. ft., and the vacant properties range in size from 18,700-sq.-ft. retail locations to a 214,000-sq.-ft. industrial property.

Houston -- Wulfe & Co., managing partner of Blvd Place, said that construction has started on Phase II of the mixed-use development located in The Uptown District of Houston.

Blvd Place will contain retail, office and residential components in an urban environment. This phase of the project is 60% pre-leased and will contain approximately 211,000 sq. ft. of upscale retail, restaurant and office space. The retail space will be anchored by a 48,500-sq.-ft. Whole Foods Market.

Reston, Va. -- Four in every five smartphone users – 85.9 million in total – accessed retail content on their device in July, according to a study by comScore. Amazon sites led as the top retailer with an audience of 49.6 million visitors, representing 46.6% of smartphone owners, followed by eBay with 32.6 million visitors and Apple with 17.7 million visitors.

NEW YORK — On Sept. 27, Gap will debut a limited-edition collection for men designed by GQ’s six best new menswear designers in America for 2012.

New York -- Prudential Douglas Elliman's Retail Group said it has arranged a long-term lease for LUMAS Galleries at 1100 Madison Avenue, between 82nd and 83rd Streets.

The German-based art dealer’s only current U.S. location is on West Broadway in SoHo.

LUMAS Galleries is moving into the former City Market Café space, which is surrounded by neighboring businesses such as Jonathan Adler, Peter Elliot, Lululemon, Coach, Alexis Bittar, Theory and Tumi.

Tempe, Ariz. -- Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group said that Arizona Mills will continue to expand its retail mix this October with the opening of Crazy 8.

Crazy 8, a concept from The Gymboree Corp., will be located across from J.C. Penney. Other retail offerings include Last Call by Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th, H&M, Forever 21, Kenneth Cole Company Store, American Eagle Outfitters, G by Guess, 2b Bebe and more.