Distribution

Whole Foods, which is known for luxurious produce departments and an exhaustive assortment of natural foods, is adding "brewery" to its list of offerings.

The grocery chain has been opening brewpubs at select stores throughout the U.S. The beers have been so popular with shoppers that the retailer plans to distribute one of its beers to all of its Texas stores starting in September. 

New York -- Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. has entered into its biggest deal ever — and this one is in the brick-and-mortar arena.
 
The Internet giant has invested approximately $4.63 billion in Chinese consumer electronics retailer Suning, which operates more than 1,600 stores across 289 cities in China. The investment gives Alibaba a 19.9% stake, making it the second largest shareholder in the company.

In return, Suning will invest up to $2.28 billion to subscribe to new shares of Alibaba.

Amazon.com is planning to make its deliveries to Chicago area customers a lot faster and more efficient with the opening of a new distribution center.

The retailer plans to open a nearly 500,000-square-foot fulfillment center in Joliet, Ill. The site, which will create 1,000 full-time jobs when it opens, is the company’s first in the state.

Seattle -- Amazon continues to expand its already formidable fulfillment center.

The online giant plans to open a nearly 500,000-sq.-ft. center in Joliet, Illinois. The site, which will create 1,000 full-time jobs when it opens, is the company’s first in the state.

Washington, D.C. — Import cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports is expected to increase 3.6% in August 2015 from the same month in 2014 as retailers begin to bring in merchandise for the holiday season. According to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Hackett Associates, imports for the year are expected to be up 4.2% from 2014.

The CEO of Overstock.com says the company is poised to take advantage of growth opportunities from "crypto-initiatives" and other means as the retailer posted an increase in revenue in the second quarter.

CEO Patrick Byrne said the company's launch of what it calls a "digital corporate bond", or a cryptocurrency-based security, based on bitcoin will fuel expansion and growth for the company.

Cincinnati -- Phillips Edison Grocery Center REIT II, Inc. announced it has acquired Plano Market Street in Plano, Texas, and The West Acres Shopping Center in Fresno, California, for a collective $57.1 million, totaling more than 253,038 sq. ft.

Plano Market Street is a 169,624 sq. ft. grocery store-anchored shopping center in Plano, Texas, just outside Dallas. The center is 94.2% leased, anchored by Market Street and retailers World of Beer, Tony & Guy, and the Little Gym.

Boca Raton, Fla. – Office Depot is accelerating its previously announced plan to close at least 400 stores as the retailer awaits its acquisition by Staples.

After shuttering a greater than expected 99 stores in the second quarter, Office Depot boosted its 2015 store closing target to 175 locations, with another 60 due to close in 2016. The closings are on top of 153 closings throughout 2014, including 108 stores in the fourth quarter of last year.