eCommerce

Simsbury, Conn. -- Charter Realty & Development said it has leased 23,500 sq. ft. to HomeGoods in Simsbury, Conn.

HomeGoods, a TJX banner, will be opening in Simsbury Commons Shopping Center in a former Borders location, joining Stop & Shop, Bed Bath & Beyond, Hoyt Cinema and Bob’s Store.

The 256,497-sq.-ft. center is owned by Columbia, S.C.-based EDENS.

Charter Realty & Development represents TJX Cos., including HomeGoods, T.J. Maxx and Marshalls, throughout the eastern half of the United States.

Impressive. That is the best way to describe what a ballroom full of financial analysts and thousands of others watching via Web cast saw unfold Thursday inside a Toronto hotel ballroom where Walmart held its annual international meeting for the financial community.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart executives, at its Thursday webcast of its 2012 International Conference for the investment community, said its emphasis in international markets will be on improving results in existing markets as opposed to focusing on entering new territories.

"Our focus this year in particular has been on improving returns with our existing businesses," said Doug McMillon, CEO of Walmart International. He said the company is working on the key markets of China and Brazil.

NEW YORK — After projecting that consumers likely would spend the same or more at retail this spring, Deloitte reported Thursday that its Consumer Spending Index climbed in March, marking only the third monthly increase over the past 12 months.

The Index, which comprises four components — tax burden, initial unemployment claims, real wages and real home prices — rose to 1.80 from an upwardly revised reading of 1.52 the previous month. Despite this increase, however, Deloitte noted that several factors may be restricting consumer cash flow:

Tokyo -- Japan’s Fast Retailing Co., parent of Uniqlo, reported Thursday that its net profit for the Sept.-Feb. period surged 38.7% to $705 million as an usually cold weather bolstered sales at Japan stores. Same-store sales in the period rose 2.3%.

The company lifted its full-year profit forecast to $1.7 billion from a previously announced $1.6 billion for the fiscal year ending in August, surpassing analysts’ projections.

Plenty of televisions in Northwest Arkansas will be tuned to CNBC the evening of April 26. That’s when the financial news network airs a one-hour special called, “The Costco Craze: Inside the Warehouse Giant.”

CNBC has turned its cameras on Walmart in the past, twice actually, and more recently Best Buy and Target. Previews for the show on Costco promise to uncover the science and secrets behind the Costco craze.

New York -- A report released Thursday by Deloitte found that consumer spending posted an increase in March, reversing a trend of declines.

The Deloitte Consumer Spending Index climbed higher in March, marking only the third monthly increase over the past 12 months. The Index tracks consumer cash flow as an indicator of future consumer spending.

Seattle -- Nordstrom Inc. revealed Thursday that it is leading a $16.4 million investment round in online men’s apparel brand Bonobos. The announcement follows last year’s purchase of online private sale site HauteLook, giving Nordstrom another leg up in the e-commerce arena.

Nordstrom is selling the Bonobos label's clothing at its stores and online. Bonobos is the largest apparel brand launched on the internet in the United States.