Supply Chain & Merchandising

Seattle – Nordstrom reported declining net earnings during the third quarter of fiscal 2013 despite an increase in net sales. Net earnings totaled $137 million, down 7.5% from $146 million in the same quarter a year earlier.

Walnut Creek, Calif. – Retailers increasingly see e-commerce as a cross-channel or omni-channel functions, rather than as a standalone process. According to the new RSR Research E-Commerce Benchmark Report 2013, 68% of retailers strongly agree or agree that the future of online commerce lies more with cross-channel or merged capabilities, with another 21% having neutral feelings and only 11% disagreeing or strongly disagreeing.

Food Holdings, a leading nationwide provider of specialty foods, healthcare foods, gluten-free foods and direct-from-source artisanal foods to the professional foodservice market, has elected Justin Wiernasz, president of Innovative Food Holdings, to its board of directors.

Walmart is stupid to take on Amazon.com head-to-head in too many areas, according to Wharton marketing professor Stephen Hoch who, along with other members of academia and one retail futurist, weigh in on the competitive situation that promises to impact the entire retail industry.

Walmart said sales of its Global eCommerce business unit grew by 40% during the third quarter as it increased investments, expanded assortments and included results from a Chinese acquisition.

Houston – Susser has signed a definitive agreement to acquire substantially all of the convenience store assets and fuel distribution contracts of Sac-N-Pac Stores, Inc. and 3W Warren Fuels, Ltd.

Plymouth, Minn. -- The Tile Shop says it rejects a report stating its historical financial statements may require restatement along with other accounting irregularities. The company denies these allegations and believes that the financial statements are properly stated and its business practices are appropriate.

Laval, Quebec City -- Canadian convenience store giant Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. announced t it has signed, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Circle K Stores Inc., an agreement with Albuquerque Convenience and Retail to acquire 23 stores in New Mexico. Albuquerque Convenience and Retail is subsidiary of Phillips 66 Company.