Retail

New York City -- Amazon.com said Thursday it is buying Lovefilm, a European movie rental service akin to Netflix, according to a report by the Associated Press.

Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

Lovefilm operates in the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, Norway and Denmark. Much like Netflix, it is a subscription-based service through which people can rent movies by mail or watch them on TV or any other device with a high-speed Internet connection. The company also offers TV shows and games.

New York City -- New York & Co. announced on Wednesday the appointment of David Witkewicz to executive VP design, effective this month.

Witkewicz will report to Greg Scott, president, and will serve on the company’s executive committee.

Witkewicz was previously VP design for Coach.

CLEVELAND -- Sherwin-Williams announced that it is partnered with the lifestyle television network HGTV to launch "HGTV HOME by Sherwin-Williams," an exclusive line of interior paint and painting supplies in the second quarter of 2011. The licensing partnership includes eight unique color collections, durable and low-odor paint manufactured by Sherwin-Williams, as well as an array of smart tools designed to help consumers enjoy the perfect painting experience, the company reported.

ST. LOUIS, Mo. — Save-A-Lot announced that it will break ground for a new 325,000-sq.-ft. food distribution center in Lexington, N.C.  The state-of-the-art center located in Lexington’s Business Center is expected to open by December 2011 and employ more than 40 employees initially with the potential for hiring additional employees once the facility is at full capacity.

Oak Brook, Ill. -- Inland Real Estate Acquisitions said Thursday it has purchased nine Dollar General stores in Alabama and Georgia for $8.5 million.

According to a report by the Atlanta Business Chronicle, the stores were built in 2010 and all leased to Dollar General Corp. through 2025 with multiple renewal options.

The stores range in size from approximately 9,000 sq. ft. to 10,600 sq. ft.

AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands -- Ahold reported that net sales for its U.S. division increased 6% to $5.6 billion for the fourth quarter. Identical-store sales for the quarter increased 1.9%(0.9% excluding gasoline), and comparable sales were up 2.1%.

For the full year the company reported net sales of $23.5 billion increased b y  5.1% when compared to the adjusted full year 2009 sales. Identical sales were up 1.5% (0.4% excluding gasoline).

Dublin, Ohio -- Wendy's/Arby's Group said Thursday it plans to sell off its struggling Arby's quick-serve chain to focus on the Wendy's hamburger business.

The two fast-food chains were combined when Triarc Cos., Arby's parent, bought Wendy's for $2.2 billion in 2008 to create the third-largest publicly held fast-food chain.

Arby's generated about 30% of the company's sales in its third quarter.

At least one analyst feels the sale could bring in $400 million to $600 million.

Washington, D.C. -- An endorsement by First Lady Michelle Obama of its new food nutrition and health initiative has helped to propel Wal-Mart Stores forward in its plans to remove political obstacles to further U.S. growth.

The new healthy food drive, in which Walmart is reformulating its Great Value private-label foods to reduce sodium and sugar contents, was announced on Thursday at a community center in a low-income area of Washington, D.C. It was attended by the First Lady, who also leads an administration initiative to fight childhood obesity.