Supply Chain & Merchandising

Seattle – Starbucks opens its first store in Colombia on July 16. The three-story location in the capital city of Bogota is the first of 50 stores Starbucks plans to open in Colombia by 2019.

New York -- At first glance, the IBM-Apple partnership may seem to do little more than formalize a connection between two technologies that are mainstays of most retailers’ infrastructures. The fact is many retailers already use Apple iPhones and iPads as devices for in-store activities like product lookup, checkout and inventory management. And IBM is a leading provider of retail data analytics technology.
 

Dallas -- Corner Bakery Café announced its entry into Oregon, with the addition of franchise partner NW Ventures. As the operator of more than 138 Burger King franchises in Oregon and Mexico, as well as two TGI Fridays in Mexico, NW Ventures joins Corner Bakery Cafe as its 32nd franchise partner, with plans to open 12 neighborhood cafes in the state of Oregon and Vancouver, Washington.

Staples has officially launched the 2014 back-to-school season with its Make More Happen for Less promotion, which offers customers three ways to save on products.

“This year, Staples will Make More Happen for Less with guaranteed savings and exciting products not found anywhere else,” said Demos Parneros, president of North American stores and online, Staples. “Our 110% Price Match Guarantee, Staples Less List and Weekly Hot Deals let customers find everything they need to succeed in school — at great prices.”

Hampshire Group signed a master supply agreement with Levi Strauss & Company in which Hampshire will supply knit shirts, woven shirts and sweaters to Dockers’ global business.

Seattle - Hardy Capital Partners, along with a small group of Canadian investors, have acquired 100% of OnlineShoes.com, a $140 million profitable online footwear retailer based out of Seattle. Hardy Capital Partners has also acquired 100% of ShoeMe.ca, a Vancouver-based online footwear retailer, for an undisclosed amount.

Flowood, Miss. — Inland Real Estate Income Trust, Inc. has purchased the 187,610-square-foot Dogwood Festival Shopping Center located in Flowood, Mississippi, approximately 10 miles northeast of Jackson, Mississippi.

Constructed in 2002, the center is 97.8% leased to 36 tenants, including T.J. Maxx, HomeGoods, Old Navy, Gap, Men’s Wearhouse, Hibbett Sports and several other national tenants. The property is shadow-anchored by Belk, an upscale department store, which was not acquired.

Seattle -- Nordstrom announced today plans to open a Nordstrom Rack at The Shops at Knollwood in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. The approximately 33,000-sq.-ft. store is scheduled to open in spring 2015. The property is owned and managed by Rouse Properties Inc.
 
Recently rebranded The Shops at Knollwood, Rouse Properties launched an extensive redevelopment project in an effort to modernize and improve the shopping environment.