Distribution

New York -- Wal-Mart Stores has put its ambitious expansion plans in India on hold indefinitely. The discounter and its joint venture partner in India, Bharti Enterprises, are parting ways after six years, the companies announced.

Seattle – Starbucks is opening a new Evolution Fresh juicery in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., that the retailer says will quadruple its production of cold-pressed, never-heated juice. The $70 million, 264,000-sq.-ft. facility features advanced technology such as High Pressure Processing (HPP) machines.

Following a successful launch in China earlier this year, Hershey is ready to introduce its first new brand to the U.S. market in three decades.

Salt Lake City -- Overstock.com has announced the opening of a distribution center in Jonestown, Pa. The new operation will enable faster fulfillment through state-of-the-art warehouse technologies, while providing room for growth. The new center will fill orders to customers from Maine to Florida within two days.

Initially, the Jonestown warehouse will bring 15 jobs to the area with additional jobs as the operation grows over the next few years. The company’s primary warehouse will remain in Salt Lake City.

Jacksonville, Fla. -- Bi-Lo and Winn-Dixie parent Bi-Lo Holdings said it would begin in 2014 the process of converting all Sweetbay stores to the Winn-Dixie name and Reid's stores to Bi-Lo, but that the Harveys banner would remain intact.

The grocery retailer acquired all three banners from Brussels, Belgium-based Delhaize Group last May.

Walmart and its joint venture partner in India, Bharti Enterprises, are parting ways after six years, the companies announced.

Plans call for Walmart to acquire Bharti’s 50% stake in their joint venture begun in 2007 to operate cash and carry wholesale stores branded as Best Price Modern Wholesale. At the time, that was the only sector of retail where Indian law allowed for foreign direct investment. The first Best Price store opened in 2009 and today there are 20 units spread throughout India.

Changes in foreign exchange rates had a negative impact on Costco’s comparable store sales for the fourth quarter ended Sept. 1, but the wholesaler still reported increases in both its U.S. and international markets.

The company’s comparable sales for the quarter increased 5%. U.S. comparable store sales increased 5% for the quarter, while international comparable store sales increased 4%.

Bi-Lo and Winn-Dixie parent Bi-Lo Holdings plans to retire the Sweetbay and Reid’s banners. The company will begin converting all Sweetbay stores to the Winn-Dixie name and Reid's stores to Bi-Lo in 2014, and confirmed the Harveys banner would remain intact.

The grocery retailer acquired all three banners from Brussels, Belgium-based Delhaize Group last May.

Revlon’s wholly owned operating subsidiary, Revlon Consumer Products, completed its previously disclosed acquisition of the Colomer Group, including the Revlon Professional business, for a cash purchase price of $665 million.

Leading consumer products company Helen of Troy saw solid growth in all its business segments during the second quarter, which led to record sales of its stable of well known brands, but stagnant profits.
Sales increased 11.1% to $319 million during the quarter ended August 31, but profits were essentially flat at $23.3 million, or 72 cents a share, compared to $23 million, or 72 cents a share. Gross margins declined to 38.6% from 40.7% the prior year while expenses as a percent of sales declined to 29.1% from 30%.