Executive Summary

• This week’s note “From the Desk of Deborah Weinswig” previews the upcoming CES 2019 trade show (formerly the Consumer Electronics Show), which will be held in Las Vegas next week.
• Months after Toy “R” Us Inc. sought to liquidate its holdings in the U.S., merchants have taken up space left behind by the retailer. The buildings are said to have modest rents and longer leases than is standard.
• British entertainment retailer HMV Retail Ltd. has called in administrators following weak Christmas sales. The beset retailer operates 130 locations and employs around 2,200 staff.
• E-commerce firm JD.com Inc. plans to restructure its largest revenue-generating unit, JD Mall, into three business departments, according to documents seen by The Wall Street Journal.