Supply Chain & Merchandising

Woodland Hills, Calif. — GrowLife has announced that it will roll out 12 stores by the end of 2014.

The indoor growing-technology retailer aims eventually to grow to 30 stores.

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Vitacost.com, a leading online retailer of health and wellness products, has appointed Chris Cavalline to the newly created position of CMO. 

Cavalline is a 25-year retail industry veteran, and was most recently SVP of merchandising and e-commerce at Kohl's Department Stores. Previously, Cavalline held senior leadership positions at Macy's, Inc. and May department stores. He earned a B.S. in physics and civil engineering from Washington and Lee University.

Warren, Mich. -- Art Van Furniture plans to convert 31 Mattress World locations in Michigan and Indianapolis to its signature Art Van PureSleep brand, which is known its diagnostic system that determines the exact mattress and pillow best suited for each individual's comfort. 

The conversion, which will begin August 1st, will be completed by the end of 2013, and will result in a total of 76 Art Van PureSleep stores.

By Jake Weatherly, [email protected]

HERSHEY, Pa. — Core brand growth and new products in U.S. and key international markets bolstered Hershey Company’s second quarter results for the period ended June 30. The company reported consolidated net sales of $1.5 billion for the quarter, a 6.7% increase from $1.4 billion for same quarter a year ago.

Hershey’s reported net income for the quarter was $159 million or $0.70 per share-diluted, compared with $135 million or $0.59 per share-diluted for the comparable period of 2012.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — O’Reilly Automotive achieved a record quarterly gross margin of 50.8% for the second quarter ended June 30, primarily driven by improvements in acquisition costs, product mix and pricing management, according to president and CEO Greg Henslee.

The automotive aftermarket industry retailer saw sales for the quarter rise to $1.71 billion, a 10% increase from $1.56 billion for the same period one year ago. Gross profit for the second quarter was $872 million, a 12% increase from $780 million for the same period one year ago. 

Grand Rapids, Mich. — Meijer has opened a 190,000-sq.-ft. supercenter at the Gateway Marketplace shopping center located in the Michigan State Fairgrounds.

The new supercenter includes a grocery and full-service pharmacy with a drive-through.

Tractor Supply solidified its positioned as the nation’s leading operator of farm and ranch stores during the second quarter with the opening of 26 stores and a better than expected 7.2% same store sales increase which prompted an increase in full year guidance.