Supply Chain & Merchandising

Months after urging its food producers to improve their animal welfare practices, Walmart has decided to expand distribution of the leading free range egg brand in the U.S.

The happy egg co. is the only U.S. egg brand that is 100% free range with a hen welfare program that covers everything from living conditions to feed to the expertise of the caregivers. To continue its mission of providing humanely produced eggs at an affordable price to consumers nationwide, the happy egg co. says it will now be available in 1,600 Walmart retail locations throughout the U.S.

Atlanta – The addition of income from Progressive Holdings LLC, as well as the elimination of expenses related to the April 2014 purchase of Progressive, propelled strong profit growth at Aaron’s Inc. The rent-to-own retailer reported net earnings of $40.5 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2015, almost five times the $8.5 million earnings reported the same quarter a year earlier.

Seattle – Everyone from mass merchandisers to dollar stores has been getting into the grocery business in recent years, and the vertical may soon have a new and very large participant.

Portland, Ore. – Specialty membership-based outdoor retailer The Clymb targets active consumers with an active, content-driven marketing strategy. The Clymb drives people to its e-commerce site with content such as photos of outdoor activities on social networks like Instagram.

Toronto – Lowe’s Canada is in growth mode. In addition to completing the acquisition of 12 former Target sites, the company also plans to open two more locations in Ontario, which will bring its total store count to 54 from 40.

Rockville, Md. - Shifting household dynamics are changing the way Americans shop for groceries, with moms no longer always assuming this role exclusively. According to market research publisher Packaged Facts, the percentage of men who are now the primary shoppers in their households has more than doubled in the past two decades.

Minneapolis – Target Corp. is reportedly planning to expand upon existing solar plans for its North Carolina store base. According to the Charlotte Business Journal, Target has added eight stores to the existing 19 stores in the state it plans to equip with rooftop solar panels.

Though it’s been months since the West Coast port disputes were in the headlines, retailers are still struggling to return inventory levels back to normal after the incident and an abnormally long, cold winter resulted in serious supply chain and inventory disruptions.