Distribution

Costco Wholesale Corp. reported its first quarterly decline in same store sales since 2009, although profit at the club store did rise.

Same store sales declined 1% in the third quarter ended May 10, including fuel and foreign currency impacts. This was below the 0.7% growth expected by analysts. The company said sales were hurt by low gas prices and a stronger dollar that reduced the value of sales from overseas markets.

Seattle – Amazon.com is hiring for more than 6,000 full-time jobs across its U.S. fulfillment network to meet growing customer demand. Employees will pick, pack and ship customer orders.

Amazon Inc. says it is planning to start hiring for more than 6,000 full-time jobs at fulfillment centers across the United States.

Memphis -- AutoZone reported a better-than-expected profit of $309.1 million in its third quarter, up 8.4% from $285.2 million in the year-ago period. Diluted earnings per share increased 13.1% to $9.57 per share, from $8.46 per share in the year-ago quarter. It was the auto retailer’s thirty-fifth consecutive quarter of double digit earnings per share growth.

Sales for the quarter, ended May 9, increased 6.5% to $2.49 billion for the period. Same-store sales increased 2.3%.

Shoppers like spending money with Dick’s Sporting Goods and the companies that transport goods to its stores and distribution centers think the retailer is pretty special too.

AutoZone just logged its 35th consecutive quarter of double digit earnings per share growth, proving again that it is like the Honda Accord of the retail industry – a reliable performer that stirs emotions among those with an appreciation for consistency.

New York  - Foot Locker Inc. reported a better-than-expected 14% increase in profit in its first quarter amid continuing sales growth.

San Francisco — Gap Inc. posted an 8% decline in its first-quarter profit amid currency fluctuations, merchandise delays from the West Coast ports slowdown, and sluggish sales at its namesake and Banana Republic stores. On a positive note, Old Navy continued its strong performance. 
 

We are living in the age of instant gratification. Heightened consumer expectations are putting overwhelming pressure on retailers to engage with each customer in real-time across every touchpoint. Increasingly, this means getting products in their customer’s hands whenever, wherever and however they want it. But it can be hard to deliver on these new fulfilment options – such as click-and-collect or same-day delivery – with traditional distribution infrastructures.

Just days after announcing that it would be opening several "pick-up points" across Canada, Ikea says it plans to open a massive distribution center in Ontario in October.