Distribution

Just as Amazon transformed e-commerce through its convenience, assortment and ease of use, look for the pairing of Jet.com and Walmart to introduce additional completion in the online shopping space that will give more options to consumers. Both companies stand to gain exposure to more and different customers as well as benefits in terms of service, delivery, and technological enhancements.   

A company relatively unknown outside its home base has entered the U.S. retail market in a deal to acquire Mattress Firm Holding Corp., the largest mattress retailer in the United States.   

In its ongoing quest to speed up delivery for its customers, Amazon has unveiled its first “Prime Air” branded delivery plane.   The plane is a Boeing 767-300, owned and operated by Atlas Air, that has been converted into a freighter. Named Amazon One, the plane is one of 40 that Amazon has agreed to lease through air cargo partners Atlas and ATSG.  

Costco's comparable sales for the month of July declined 2%, with a 3% decrease in U.S. a 3% rise in Canada and other decreases internationally.  

Weis Markets on Thursday announced it has converted and reopened five former Mars Super Markets as Weis Markets stores located in Baltimore County, including two locations in Dundalk and individual units in Essex, Arbutus and Carney.  

Ikea has tabbed a 123-acre parcel 17 miles north of downtown Denver as the potential site of its second location in the metro. The Swedish furniture retailer made its debut in the area with a store in Centennial in 2011.   Ikea set no time frame for the opening of the second store, though the city of Denver has begun the process of incorporating a new Ikea into the master-planned retail center destined for the site in Broomfield at the intersection of Interstate 25 and State Highway 7.  

Lifeway Christian Stores is upgrading its supply chain management with an eye to reducing inventory and increasing availability.   Reflex Solutions, in collaboration with Columbus Consulting International, is deploying its supply chain software to improve the retailer’s inventory forecasting, replenishment and allocation processes.  

Lowe's is amping up its distribution game with a new direct fulfillment center near Nashville.   At a square footage of 1.1 million, the facility will be a Lowe's first in that it will ship packages directly to customers.