Distribution

Pure Hockey is converting its various store banners to its namesake brand.    The company, which owns the Pure Hockey, Total Hockey, and HockeyGiant brands, will begin rebranding all of its retail stores as Pure Hockey. Pure Hockey acquired HockeyGiant in September 2015 and acquired Total Hockey in August 2016, giving the company a total of 53 retail locations across the United States, along with four e-commerce sites specializing in hockey, goalie, and lacrosse equipment.  

CVS Pharmacy is rolling out a convenient way for consumers on the go to easily buy necessities.    The drugstore chain on Thursday introduced automated vending machines that will be located in travel hubs and other places and contain such items as over-the-counter health products, better-for-you snacks and popular personal care products. The machines will also be used to showcase products from the company’s exclusive store brands while meeting customers at well-trafficked areas.  

Amazon is expanding its distribution fleet to the Empire State.   The online giant plans to open a new 855,000-sq. ft. fulfillment center in the New York City borough of Staten Island. The facility, which is Amazon’s first fulfillment center in the state, will pick, pack and ship customer items, such as household essentials, books and toys.  

At Home Group is on a roll — and then some.    The fast-growing, value home decor retailer on Tuesday reported its 14th consecutive quarter of same-store sales increases and 13th consecutive quarter of over 20% net sales growth.   In the second quarter ended July 29, At Home's net sales increased 23.2% to $232.1 million, from $188.4 million in the year-ago period.   Analysts had expected sales of $227.1 million. Same-store sales rose 7.8%.  

Pep Boys is expanding its national service center footprint in the Phoenix area.   The company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Icahn Automotive Group, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Advanced Auto Service & Tire Centers. Advance operates 15 service centers in Arizona, with the majority in the Phoenix area. The Advance locations will be transitioned to Pep Boys Service & Tire Centers.  

Costco Wholesale Corp. turned in a strong performance in August, helped by a big increase in online sales.    Net sales rose 10% to $9.8 billion for the month of August, from $8.9 billion during the similar period last year. Total same-store sales rose 7.3%, higher than the 6.1% Wall Street expected. Same-store U.S. sales rose 7.4%, easily topping estimates for a 4.9% to 5.3% increase. Costco's comparable e-commerce sales jumped 26% in August.   

Evacuees from Hurricane Harvey seeking shelter at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas will find a pharmacy on-site to meet their immediate needs. The facility has been turned into a mini-city to house and care for what is expected to be 5,000 evacuees who are being bused and flown into Dallas from the regions devastated by the storm.   

The deals at Ollie's Bargain Outlets were too good for shoppers to pass up in the retailer's second quarter, which topped analysts' expectations.   The value retailer, whose motto is "Good Stuff Cheap," said that its net income increased 50.1% to $19.7 million, or $0.30 per diluted share, in the quarter ended Aug. 29, from $13.1 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, in the year-ago period. Adjusted net income, increased 34.0% to $17.8 million, or $0.27 per diluted share, in the quarter.