eCommerce

Bangladesh, India -- A Tuesday report by Reuters said that the Indian joint venture of Wal-Mart Stores and Bharti Enterprises has announced plans to open three to five cash-and-carry/wholesale stores in India by the end of the year.

The partnership currently operates 17 wholesale stores in India. 

Foreign ownership regulations in India do not allow global hypermarket and supermarket chains to open retail stores in the country, but they are allowed to operate wholesale operations.

New York -- Michael Francis, who was ousted as president of J.C. Penney Co. in June, is going to Gap Inc., according to Ad Age.

Francis will serve as a marketing creative advisor for Gap, and join the chain in the advisory role on Sept. 16, the report said.

New York -- Ann Taylor on Oct. 5 will open its first store outside of the United States, in the Toronto Eaton Centre. The company will open a second store in Canada, located in Toronto’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre, in November.

WAYNE, N.J. — Toys"R"Us chairman and CEO, Jerry Storch, is making the rounds this week, as his company prepares for the holiday and questions remain on the status of it's IPO.

WAYNE, N.J. — Toys“R”Us has introduced a new Wi-Fi tablet for kids called Tabeo that is both fun and safe.

This 7-inch, multi-touch tablet features 50 free, preinstalled apps that were carefully selected to entertain and educate children, while helping them explore the Internet, the company said. The tablet also features safety controls so taht parents can dictate the level of Internet access for each member of their family.

Manchester, N.H. -- Clothing retailer Big Dogs has opened a new prototype for future expansion. The new format has opened in three 2,400-sq.-ft. stores, in outlet shopping centers in Alabama, Missouri, and Nevada.

INDIANAPOLIS — The Finish Line has named Scott Hoffman as EVP, chief merchandising officer.

Rochester Hills, Mich. -- Brixmor Property Group announced that a 8,001-sq.-ft. Dress Barn recently opened at Hampton Village Centre, located in Rochester Hills, Mich.

Brixmor, based in New York City, is the owner of Hampton Village Centre.