eCommerce

New York -- Columbia Sportswear Company has appointed Shawn Cox as senior VP of retail, a newly created position that will report directly to president and CEO Tim Boyle. In his new role, Cox, 49, will be responsible for leading the company’s brick-and-mortar retail and e-commerce operations in the U.S., Europe and Canada.


When describing Destiny USA – the 2.4 million-sq.-ft. dining, entertainment, shopping and outlet megaplex in Syracuse, N.Y. – it’s a toss-up whether to emphasize the offerings and amenities, or highlight the project’s own brand of environmental consciousness.

New York -- The U.S. Senate on Thursday voted to move forward with the Marketplace Fairness Act, legislation that would allow states to force retailers to collect online sales taxes, if the states choose to do so.  

Pittsburgh -- GNC Holdings reported Friday that net income for the quarter ended March 31 rose 12.5% to $72.6 million, compared with $64.5 million in the year-ago period.

Revenue increased 6.5% to $664.7 million, from $624.3 million last year. Same-store sales advanced 1.9% in domestic company-owned stores (including online sales).

New York -- Giving a much-needed boost to J.C. Penney Co., George Soros’ Soros Fund Management bought 17.4 million shares of the troubled retailer, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  

The stake, which was seen as a vote of confidence in returning CEO Mike Ullman, makes the billionaire investor the fourth-largest Penney shareholder, with a 7.9% stake.

Sidney, Neb. -- Cabela’s Inc. announced plans to open two new locations, with one in Tualatin, Ore., and the other in the north Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, area.
 
Construction is scheduled to begin this summer on the Canadian outpost, with a spring 2014 opening planned. The 50,000-sq.-ft. store will be located in the Manning Town Centre in north Edmonto.
 

Leesburg, Va. -- Cypress Equities said that Orvis will open a new store at the 1.2 million-sq.-ft. Village at Leesburg mixed-use project in Leesburg, Va.

Orvis will occupy 6,022 sq. ft. in a new 13,000-sq.-ft. retail building currently under construction. Orvis is slated to open in fall 2013.

Tokyo, Japan -- Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group said that, in partnership with Mitsubishi Estate Co., it has opened Shisui Premium Outlets (Shisui Town, Inba District, Chiba Prefecture), the ninth Premium Outlet Center in Japan.