Distribution

WAYNE, N.J. — Toys “R” Us plans to open more than 100 stores, including new locations, the relocation and conversion of 14 stores to its side-by-side format and 22 new licensed stores. The openings represent the net addition of more than 900,000 sq. ft. of retail space to the company’s store portfolio.

Washington, D.C. -- Following negative numbers in four of the last five months, import volume at the nation’s major retail container ports is expected to grow 1.7% in August over the same month last year and should continue to see gains through the holiday season and the remainder of 2013, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released Tuesday by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates. The year is expected to end with a 2.4% increase over 2012.

Virginia Beach, Va. — Two Firehouse Subs shops opened Monday, an 1,800-sq.-ft. location in Virginia Beach’s Strawbridge area and a 2,400-sq.-ft. location in Hampton’s Coliseum Central.

Divaris Real Estate represented the sub shop in negotiations for each location.

Boise, Idaho — WinCo Foods will open a 90,000-sq.-ft. discount supermarket in Bellingham, Wash., on Thursday.

The new store will initially employ 171. The employee-owned discount food chain operates 88 stores and typically ranks as the low priced leader in the markets where it operates.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Pinnacle Foods is buying Wish-Bone salad dressings from Unilever for $580 million.

Combined annual sales, which include the liquid and dry-mix salad dressings under the Wish-Bone and Western brands, total approximately $190 million.

"The transaction enhances our ability to offer consumers meal solutions and recipe ideas across our broad portfolio of brands," Pinnacle Foods CEO Bob Gamgort said in a statement.

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. — Whirlpool Corporation has entered into agreements to become a majority shareholder in Hefei Rongshida Sanyo Electric Co. Ltd., a leading home appliances manufacturer based in Hefei, China.

Through this transaction, a Whirlpool Corporation subsidiary will acquire all shares currently owned by Sanyo Electric Co. Ltd. and Sanyo Electric Co. (China) Ltd., and purchase new Hefei Sanyo shares via a private placement.

NEW YORK — Brooks Brothers has named Vivien Kronengold as the company’s EVP and chief marketing officer, a newly created position. 

Kronengold will be responsible for leading the company’s global marketing strategy and will oversee all areas of marketing communications, including brand advertising, creative, digital and social media, direct, visual merchandising, public relations and events.

SEATTLE -- Amazon's grocery service might be making its way to New York next year, according to published reports.

Citing analysis from SunTrust analyst Robert Peck, EcommerceBytes.com reported that the Seattle-based online retailer may start offering Amazon Fresh in New York in 2014, based on his finding that the company had expanded into a New Jersey warehouse previously used by C&S Wholesale Grocers.

City of Commerce, Calif. -- 99 Cents Only Stores had a positive first quarter of fiscal 2014, swinging from a net loss to net income and also reporting gains in net and same-store sales. The retailer reported net income of $3.16 million, compared to a net loss of about $4.9 million a year earlier.

OAKBROOK, Ill. — TreeHouse Foods has entered into an agreement with TorQuest Partners and other shareholders to acquire Associated Brands GP Corporation, a leading private label manufacturer of powdered drinks, specialty teas and sweeteners.