Strategy

Seattle  - Santa may have his elves, but Amazon.com has something better to help send holiday gifts on their way: a robot army. The online giant has deployed more than 15,000  robots in 10 next-generation fulfillment centers it has opened across the United States.  

Huntsville, Alabama - GBT Realty Corp. announced the expansion of Strong Station, a 180,000-sq.-ft. neighborhood center in Huntsville, Alabama, currently tenanted by Academy Sports + Outdoor. Nearly 96% leased, the $16-million Phase II adds 95,000 sq. ft. of retail on nine acres to the east of the existing sporting goods store.      

Few people in the food industry know the name Denzel McGuire, but that’s about to change as she just became the industry’s best friend in the nation’s capital.

McGuire has been named EVP of government relations at the Grocery Manufacturers Association, which is a big deal considering the food industry is under relentless pressure and regulatory scrutiny. GMA needs a strong voice and a connected presence in the nation’s capital to represent the interests of its members and McGuire fits the bill on both fronts, according to GMA President and CEO Pam Bailey.

Atlanta - The Home Depot has reached an agreement to purchase HD Supply Hardware Solutions, formerly known as Crown Bolt, a wholesale hardware supplier. The transaction is expected to close by the end of fiscal year 2014 subject to obtaining customary regulatory approvals.

The Home Depot is HD Supply’s largest customer and accounts for about 98% of its annual sales. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Seattle – The robots are coming to Amazon.com. According to the Associated Press, the online giant has deployed more than 15,000 wheeled robots in its distribution centers. The robots help bring items off shelves and out of bins to human employees for faster picking and packing.

Mooresville, N.C. – Lowe’s Companies Inc. will open three new stores in Canada, starting with a 94,500-sq.-ft. store in Lethbridge, Alberta in spring 2015. Lowe’s also plans to open an 86,000-sq.-ft. store in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and a 75,000-sq.-ft. store in Saulte Ste. Marie, Ontario.  

London - Hunter, the British footwear and outdoor brand, opened its first global flagship, on London’s high-profile Regent Street. The 5,300-sq.-ft. store presents the retailer’s full collection, from its signature Wellington boots to outwear and accessories.   

Improved e-commerce and marketing strategies are among the reasons Shoe Carnival President and CEO Cliff Sifford cited for the company’s increase in same store sales.