Supply Chain & Merchandising

The e-commerce experience will be easier for retailers to execute and more enjoyable for shoppers this holiday season thanks to a dramatic expansion of a flexible fulfillment service UPS introduced last year.

Amazon is going to make it very easy for startups to launch, market and distribute their products to hundreds of millions of Amazon customers across the globe.

The retailer is launching a program called Launchpad, which offers a streamlined onboarding experience, custom product pages, a comprehensive marketing package, and access to Amazon’s global fulfillment network, all geared toward helping startups successfully launch their innovations and share their stories.

Plano, Texas – Reductions in labor hours and store expenses, as well as a sourcing and distribution initiative, helped boost profit at Rent-A-Center Inc. in the second quarter of fiscal 2015. Net income rose 31% to $23.15 million, from $17.68 million the same quarter a year earlier.

Consolidated revenue also performed well, growing 6% to $815.34 million from $768.43 million. Consolidated same-store sales increased 7.5%, aided by especially strong performance in Mexico stores.

Boston – Wayfair is meeting the needs of customers who need to get some sleep fast. The online retailer is partnering with Mattress Firm Inc. to let customers obtain same-day premium delivery of mattresses in most markets.

Shoppers will also have access to Wayfair.com’s more than 700 customer service team members, including mattress specialists for advice and insight.

The CEO of Big 5 Sporting Goods Corp. says sales and earnings are growing at the California-based retailer despite the recreational impacts of the drought in that state.

Moorestown, N.J. -- Pro-Tech Energy Solutions has been selected by A.C. Moore to install a 3.48MW rooftop solar installation.

The rooftop array will be installed on the A.C. Moore distribution warehouse and headquarters in Berlin, New Jersey. Part of a cost-saving and sustainable energy initiative, the rooftop array will cover approximately 432,000 sq. ft. and utilize string inverters to provide maximum control over energy supply.

Supervalu Inc. said it is considering spinning off its Sav-A-Lot stores into a separate business as the discount chain reported a big earnings increase for the first quarter.

Net earnings soared 42% to $61 million, from $43 million in the same quarter the prior fiscal year. Cost of sales rose at a slower pace than net sales, aiding profit growth. Net sales rose 3% to $5.41 billion, from $5.26 billion.

Minneapolis – Supervalu Inc. beat Wall Street expectations for profit in the first quarter of fiscal 2016 and also announced it is considering spinning off its Save-A-Lot grocery banner. Net earnings soared 42% to $61 million, from $43 million in the same quarter the prior fiscal year.

Cost of sales rose at a slower pace than net sales, aiding profit growth. Net sales rose 3% to $5.41 billion, from $5.26 billion.