Sales & Marketing

UNION, N.J. — Bed Bath & Beyond has expanded its business with the all cash acquisition of Linen Holdings, LLC for approximately $105 million.  Based in Gibbsboro, New Jersey, Linen Holdings LLC is a privately-held, value-added distributor of bath, bed and table linens, other textile products and amenities to customers in the hospitality, cruise line, food service, health care and other industries.

Walmart’s strategy of every day low prices underpinned by an every day low cost operating model will work everywhere in the world, according to international division president and CEO Doug McMillon.

Responding to a question about improving international financial returns, McMillon weighed in on the need to deliver on the strategy of every day low prices on a broad assortment and how that is the right approach internationally in large format stores.

Reston, Va. -- A significant 63% of online shoppers look at a retailer's return policy before making a purchase, and nearly half said that they would shop more often and recommend a retailer with a lenient returns policy, according to a new study by comScore. The report, commissioned by UPS, evaluates consumer shopping habits from pre-purchase to post-delivery. It is based on a comScore survey of more than 3,100 U.S. online shoppers.

Bowling Green, Ky. -- Pan-Oston was awarded the Domino’s Pizza Teamwork Award for 2011 at its annual Supplier Summit. The award was in recognition of Pan-Oston’s  teamwork and execution of the New Image Counters, which the supplier engineered, manufactured and delivered within 90 days to six stores.

This is the second award given to Pan-Oston by Domino’s Pizza, the first award being the prestigious Partner Award for 2007.

New York -- Dollar General Corp. on Monday reported a 36% jump in quarterly profit and raised its expectations for the year as its momentum continued.

Dollar General earned $213.4 million in the fiscal first quarter ended on May 4, up from $157.0 million a year earlier. Sales rose 13% to $3.9 billion. Same-store sales increased 6.7%.

CINCINNATI — Kroger has joined other food retailers in moving towards a policy of only offering products made from gestation-crate-free pigs. The company announced that it has begun informing suppliers of a new policy statement regarding gestation crates that are used to house pregnant sows.

Seattle -- Starbucks Coffee Co. is looking to expand its food business. The chain has entered into an agreement to acquire San Francisco-based Bay Bread and its La Boulange bakery brand, as well as to hire its well-known French baker, Pascal Rigo. The cash deal is valued at $100 million.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Sports Authority has launched its first-ever customer loyalty program, The League, which offers members 5% back on their total point balances of 100 points or more earned quarterly.