Distribution

San Francisco -- Gap Inc. announced it has signed agreements to open Old Navy stores in six Middle Eastern countries with franchisees Fawaz A. Alhokair & Co. and Azadea beginning spring 2015. The first markets include U.A.E., Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.   This is the second franchise market expansion for Old Navy. In March of this year, the brand opened its first franchise-operated stores in the Philippines.   

New York –- Imports to the U.S. were down in September from August, but still there was a measurable year-over-year increase. Sept. 2014 showed levels of imports 7% above imports in Sept. 2013.   

Los Angeles --Great American Group has been selected as a stalking horse bidder in the potential liquidation of Alco Stores, which operates 198 general merchandise discount stores in 23 states. Great American is a leading provider of asset disposition and auction solutions, advisory and valuation services, capital investment, and real estate advisory services.

Former Snyder’s-Lance CEO David V. Singer is the newest member of the board of directors at apparel manufacturer HanesBrands.

Singer, 59, joins the 10 member board through the 2015 annual meeting when directors stand for re-election. He will serve on the company’s audit committee.

CVS Health has confirmed a Wall Street Journal report that it is working to establish a tobacco-free pharmacy network and is looking for tobacco-free pharmacies to participate in the new offering.

As widely reported, CVS Health’s pharmacy locations are now officially tobacco-free as the company forges ahead on its mission to help shape the future of health care.

Hicksville, N.Y. --Sleepy's announced that with the grand opening of its new location in Joliet, Ill., the privately-owned mattress retailer's store count reached a landmark 1,000 stores. "It is with great pride that we announce our thousandth-store milestone," said Sleepy's president, David Acker. "Sleepy's has been around since 1957, and we are very proud of this latest accomplishment. It won't stop here."

Hoffman Estates, Ill. –- An inventory clerk at a Sears Holding Corp. distribution center in Logan Township, N.J., has reportedly been arrested for stealing merchandise worth $3.7 million in retail value and selling it for both cash and bartered services to a network of individuals in the tri-state area. According to the New Jersey Star-Ledger, following an investigation by Sears loss prevention officials and local and county police, Kim Watson, 32, was arrested on Friday, Oct. 17.  

New York –- Online lingerie retailer Adore Me has achieved 300% year-over-year growth in revenue while using Dotcom Distribution fulfillment and logistics solutions. Adore Me has leveraged Dotcom’s capabilities to adjust to increasing order volume to promote rapid growth and customer satisfaction.