eCommerce

Washington, D.C. -- A report released Thursday by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates said that import cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports is expected to remain at about the same levels as last year through July before starting to resume increases later this summer.

This sounds like a pretty cool deal. Walmart’s wholly-owned video-on-demand subsidiary Vudu and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment in an exclusive arrangement this week offered a new type of digital move card for the science fiction film, Battle: Los Angeles.

The cards cost $14.96 and went on sale the same day as the Blu-ray and DVDs. The big difference between buying the physical Blu-ray disc or DVD is customers who purchase the card simply enter a code to access the film directly from a computer or more than 300 different Vudu-enabled consumer electronics devices.

Dallas -- Cypress Equities Cos. said it has expanded its leasing team with the addition of Giancarlo “GC” Carriero, who joins the firm as leasing manager.

Carriero is responsible for developing and leveraging relationships with potential tenants and facilitating leasing solutions for Cypress’ nationwide retail and mixed-use projects. 

He was previously leasing representative for General Growth Properties.
 

Brooklyn, N.Y. -- Winick Realty Group announced that Fushimi, an Asian fusion restaurant, will open its third New York City location, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

The restaurant leased 7,200 sq. ft. and is set to open in the next few months.
 

Atlanta -- Sandal retailer Flip Flop Shops announced Thursday it has signed its 100th franchisee agreement for a new store to be located in Universal Studios, Calif. The store will be followed by openings in Santa Monica and Las Vegas.

The announcement follows recent news about the growing chain’s master franchise deal for Canada, which will see units open across the country.

Phoenix -- Karlin Real Estate has acquired through foreclosure two Phoenix, AZ-area shopping centers totaling nearly 220,000 sq. ft., following the firm's purchase of a non performing loan portfolio with an aggregate unpaid principal of approximately $65.5 million.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — HSN announced that it will offer an exclusive collection of home decor from award-winning architectural and interior designer and design television host Vern Yip.

The HSN exclusive Vern Yip Home collection will feature his signature, unique design lotus and medallion (a symbol of his family's history and design aesthetic) available on a bedding line, the company reported. The collection will also include furniture, window treatments, rugs, lighting and decor items.

New York City -- Ron Johnson’s decision to leave Apple, where he serves as senior VP of retail, to take the reins of J.C. Penney Co. leaves the tech giant without a retail chief as it begins to ramp up its international expansion.

Apple plans to open 40 stores this fiscal year, with almost three-quarters of them outside the United States, the company announced in April. A big growth area is Asia.
Apple has said very little with regards to its plans to replace Johnson.