Distribution

Carle Place, N.Y. -- 1-800-Flowers.com Inc. has entered into an agreement to acquire gourmet food and gift retailer Harry & David Holdings for $142.5 million in cash.  

The deal includes Harry & David’s brands and websites as well as its headquarters, manufacturing and distribution facilities and orchards in Medford, Oregon, a warehouse and distribution facility in Hebron, Ohio, and 47 Harry & David stores.

Green Innovations has promoted its VP of sales Jeff Thurgood to CEO

Thurgood has 30 years of industry experience including 16 years with Kimberly-Clark, where he served in the corporate headquarters as national merchandising manager of Huggies Baby Wipes, Depend and Poise Adult Care brands, and as trade marketing director of Target Brands.

Thurgood succeeds Philip Rundle who will serve as a consultant to the company through year-end. According to the company, Rundle is resigning as CEO and member of the board because of a family health matter.

Tewksbury, Mass. – The Market Basket supermarket chain is wasting no time in moving forward following its purchase by former CEO Arthur T. Demoulas for $1.5 billion on Aug. 28. According to the Boston Globe, Market Basket plans to open at least four new stores in Massachusetts the near future.

Fred’s second-quarter results reflected the company’s strategic decision to build its business model for the future as a convenience/pharmacy-centric store, driven by data-based inventory management, according to CEO Bruce Efird.

The company reported a net loss of $16.4 million for the quarter. Fred's total sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2014 increased 2% to $491.2 million. On a comparable-store basis, second-quarter sales decreased 0.1%.

Plano, Texas – J.C. Penney Company is launching a new online sports store on its e-commerce site that will be powered by Fanatics, an online retailer of officially licensed sports merchandise. Fanatics, which operates the e-commerce platform for hundreds of collegiate and professional sports teams, leagues and media sites, will provide fans with a selection of team sports apparel and merchandise at JCPenney.com, offering more than 300,000 licensed products spanning all the major sports leagues.

Online sales at regional department store operator Belk grew 43% during the second quarter, prompting the company to announce a major investment in its e-commerce and fulfillment capabilities.

Gordmans Stores new CEO Andy Hall is looking to execute a turnaround at the off price department store chain where weak sales trends and losses indicate he is in for a big challenge.
 

Los Angeles – Authentic Brands Group LLC (ABG), owner of the Juicy Couture brand, is launching a new multiyear partnership to expand the scope of e-commerce services for Juicy Couture, with Onestop Internet, a full-spectrum e-commerce solution provider.