eCommerce

WAYNE, N.J. — Toys“R”Us announced that it has entered into a joint venture with Li & Fung Retailing that would make Toys"R"Us Inc. the majority shareholder of Toys"R"Us operations in Southeast Asia and Greater China. With this agreement, the existing Toys“R”Us licensed operations throughout Asia, which currently consist of more than 100 stores and offices across nine markets, will become 70% majority owned and controlled by Toys“R”Us Inc. and 30% owned by Li & Fung Retailing.

Jacksonville, Fla. -- Stein Mart said Monday it has completed a new $100 million senior secured revolving credit facility with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. to replace an existing $150 million revolving credit facility, which was maturing in early 2012.

The new facility can be increased to $150 million and matures in February 2017. The revolving credit is for general corporate purposes, including issuing standby and commercial letters of credit, and provides an additional source of liquidity, according to Stein Mart.

Indianapolis -- Kite Realty Group said that The Flying Cupcake has leased 856 sq. ft. at Rivers Edge Shopping Center, located in Indianapolis.

Rivers Edge, recently renovated, is anchored by Nordstrom Rack, Buy Buy Baby, The Container Store, Harry & Izzy’s and soon Arhaus Furniture. The total GLA is 152,575 sq. ft.

Chicago -- A report released Tuesday by retail foot traffic counter ShopperTrak identified the 10 holiday shopping days that will make or break the period for retailers.

“Since Christmas falls on different calendar days each year, the shift impacts which days are the busiest,” said ShopperTrak co-founder Bill Martin. “Some change in ranking or drop off completely.”

New York City -- Barnes & Noble is expected to unveil the new Nook -- its response to Amazon.com's new Kindle Fire tablet -- next Monday, the Associated Press reported.

Barnes & Noble invited journalists and analysts to a news conference for a "very special announcement" that day.

Ridgefield, Conn. -- Gap tapped Schimenti Construction to build the company’s flagship Athleta location in New York City.

The 3,922-sq.-ft. store, which features performance apparel and gear for the active woman, is in a landmark building on Columbus Avenue, in Manhattan. The space was completed in 13 weeks from start to opening.

New York City -- Macy’s announced that its namesake stores across the country will open at midnight on Nov. 25, the midnight of Thanksgiving night, to kick off the 2011 holiday shopping season. It is the first time that Macy’s has opened its doors chainwide at midnight. The company’s Bloomingdale’s unit will open its doors on Black Friday at 8 a.m.

Last year, Macy's opened eight stores at midnight. The rest of the stores opened at 4 a.m.

Newark, N.J.  -- U.S. containerized import volume fell 6% in September from the month before as surging shipping of auto parts was not enough to offset growing pessimism among retailers about consumer demand heading into the holidays, according to figures from The Journal of Commerce/PIERS.

Imports fell 6% from August to September, and the disappointing numbers for such items as toys, apparel and home goods signaled retailers are restraining their inventory growth on the cusp of the holiday shopping season.