In the San Fernando Valley, there are plans to level a nearly vacant mall and replace it with some 1,400 homes, boutique retail space and a concert venue.

Ikea, the Swedish home goods retailer, says it has agreed to acquire TaskRabbit, a company known for, among other things, sending tool-wielding workers to rescue customers befuddled by build-it-yourself furniture kits.

In a move that it says puts it on equal footing with Prime Now's domestic coverage, crowdsourced same-day delivery provider Deliv has expanded to 1,400 U.S. cities in 33 markets, up from 19 markets previously - allowing retail customers like Macy's and Best Buy to greatly increase the range of their services.

Ella Wiesenfelder has been coming to Barstons Child's Play her whole life, so naturally it's where she wanted to be on the afternoon of her 8th birthday.

Companies seek to burnish their brands in a variety of creative ways. In the case of Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI), that desire extends deep into the supply chain.