Mass Merchant

NEW YORK — Launched online at Target.com on Aug. 1 is the new Spa Sonic Skin Care System face & body polisher.

The seven-piece, at-home spa set works to deeply cleanse the entire face and body. Its dermal penetrating action is designed to promote rapid absorption of skin care products and leaves skin toned and smooth.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. and BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart announced that its video-on-demand service Vudu is now available for the iPad. 

iPad users can go to Vudu.com and browse through Vudu's entertainment content library, which includes more than 20,000 blockbusters, Hollywood classics, independent films and TV episodes, then rent or purchase and watch them instantly. For one touch access to Vudu, customers can add a Vudu icon to their iPad desktops by clicking the "Add to Home Screen" button when on Vudu.com.  

St. Louis -- Dollar General has signed a multi-year contract with Interface to provide secure managed cloud services to the retailer’s 9,5000 plus stores that will improve operations, and increase the security of customer and employee data, while providing significant reductions in operating expenses.

Under the agreement, Dollar General will use Interface’s managed cloud services for its entire retail store network.

RESTON, Va. — Online U.S. retail spending in second quarter 2011 reached $37.5 billion for the quarter, up 14% versus year ago, comScore reported Monday. This growth rate represented the seventh consecutive quarter of positive year-over-year growth and third consecutive quarter of double-digit growth rates.

Bloomfield Hills, Mich. -- Shopping center owner Taubman Centers reported Monday that its Taubman Asia division will acquire 90% controlling interest in TCBL Consulting Limited, a Beijing-based retail real estate consultancy with seven offices in mainland China.

Cincinnati -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said it has leased retail space to two tenants at Hyde Park Plaza, located in Cincinnati.
 
Primary healthcare clinic Doctors Express has leased 3,474 sq. ft. and Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt has leased 2,406 sq. ft., bringing the center to 96% leased.

Both tenants are slated to open this fall.
 
The 396,861-sq.-ft. shopping center is anchored by Kroger and Biggs, alongside national retailers such as Michaels, Massage Envy, Panera Bread, Starbucks and Staples.

New York City -- Carrefour SA said Tuesday that it is not in discussions to sell its Brazilian unit to Wal-Mart Stores.

Newspaper Valor Economico had reported that the U.S. retailer was in discussions with Carrefour to acquire the French retailer’s Brazilian unit. The acquisition would have made Wal-Mart the largest retailer in Brazil after the acquisition. 
 

The outlet mall industry has undergone a major transition during the past decade and has never been better positioned for future success. This is a significant change from 10 years ago when a stale product mix targeted to a transient shopper base had raised serious questions about the viability of the outlet mall.