Supply Chain & Merchandising

The number of U.S. businesses with solar energy installations grew to a new high in 2015. Enterprises ranging from family-run companies to some of the country’s biggest corporations are producing their own energy, cutting operating expenses, and achieving environmental sustainability.

A recent report from the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) provides data and insights into the diverse mix of corporate offices, office buildings, retail, manufacturing, data centers, distribution and logistics centers, and convention centers that have gone solar.

Pensacola, Fla. -- Westwood Financial Corp. announced it has acquired the Shoppes at Milestone, a fully-leased shopping center located in Pensacola, Florida. The 19,700-sq.-ft. shopping center is shadow anchored by Publix and is the firm’s seventh Florida property.

Better than expected holiday season and full year profitability at Toys “R” Us has the left the company optimistic about 2016 and looking at a financial restructuring which could free resources for growth initiatives.

Toys “R” Us said its estimated, unaudited and adjusted earnings before interest taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) increased 21% to $780 million during the fiscal year ended Jan. 30. Excluding a $42 million negative impact of foreign currency translation EBITDA grew 28%.

The year 2015 was a big one for mergers and acquisitions in the retail and consumer sectors, with 31 multibillion dollar deals driving activity during the year.

United States retail and consumer (R&C) total transaction value for 2015 hit a five-year high and surpassed the $100 billion mark for the third year in a row, according to PwC’s U.S. retail and consumer deals insights 2015 Year in Review and 2016 Outlook report.

dd’s Discounts, a division of Ross Stores, Inc. will open a 20,000-sq.-ft. store at Parkshire Center in Wilcrest, Texas on Feb. 6. The location is 14 miles southwest of downtown Houston, at the intersection of Highway 59 and Wilcrest Drive.

The new store ups dd’s store count in Texas to 37 locations, making it the retailer’s second largest state. With the new opening, the chain will operate 175 locations in 15 states.

Vertical omnichannel footwear retailer Allen Edmonds Corp. needs to ensure brand and price consistency across a dizzying array of consumer touch-points.

Port Lake, Wisconsin-based Allen Edmonds is using the Ugam brand intelligence solution to monitor channel pricing, enforce minimum advertised price policy and manage channel relationships. Allen Edmonds needs to manage these activities in its 59 corporate stores and e-commerce site, as well as with third-party retail partners.

Publix Super Markets has signed leases to open its first-ever stores in the state of Virginia.