Whole Foods Market

Two Amazon-owned retailers are teaming up to ease the process of returning items purchased online.

New York -- Award results released Wednesday by international think-tank Ethisphere Institute listed Whole Foods, OfficeMax and Target among the World’ Most Ethical Companies.

The institute reviewed nominations from companies in more than 100 countries and 36 industries. Selection is based on a review of codes of ethics; evaluating the investment in innovation and sustainable business practices; looking at activities designed to improve corporate citizenship; and studying nominations from senior executives, industry peers, suppliers and customers.

New York -- Dallas-based SRS Real Estate Partners said that Select Comfort Corp., which operates the Sleep Number Store, has leased several new locations in and around New York City.

In Danbury, Conn., the company leased 2,580 sq. ft. at the Shops at Marcus Dairy, an 80,000-sq.-ft. shopping center tenanted by Whole Foods, Eastern Mountain Sports and Panera Bread.

New York -- Winick Realty Group announced that two of Columbus Square’s anchor tenants — Whole Foods and Michael’s — are expanding their footprints at the mixed-use development located in the heart of the Upper West Side of Manhattan.

“Both Whole Foods and Michael’s have seen such great success since opening at Columbus Square,” said Winick Realty director Kelly Gedinsky. “By expanding … they are now able to accommodate the high levels of foot traffic their location demands.”

Ann Arbor, Mich. -- Customer satisfaction with e-commerce websites in on the rise, with Amazon topping all measured sites, according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index's (ACSI) annual E-Commerce Report, produced in partnership with customer experience analytics firm ForeSee.
   

Austin, Texas -- Whole Foods Market Inc. reported that its first-quarter net income rose 24% to $146 million, exceeding expectations, on stronger revenue. But the grocer narrowed its revenue forecast and said its earnings growth may slow through the remainder of the year amid higher store-opening costs and plans to increase its selection of lower-priced products.

Total sales increased nearly 14% to $3.86 billion for the 16-week period that ended Jan. 20. Same-store sales were up 7.2% for the quarter.

Hyannis, Mass. -- Boston-based The Wilder Cos. said Tuesday that, as part of its major remerchandising of Southwind Plaza shopping center in Hyannis, Mass., Kohl’s and Whole Foods Market will be opening new stores at the Cape Cod property.

Kohl’s will begin construction of a nearly 55,000-sq.-ft. space in February with an opening planned for early October.  

Also joining the center with its first Cape location is Whole Foods Market, which will open a 26,000-sq.-ft. store in early 2014.