Distribution

New York -- Spanish apparel giant Inditex, plans to have radio frequency identification technology in place in its nearly 2,000 Zara stores around the globe by 2016. The technology has already been installed at all of Zara's distribution centers and at more than 700 Zara stores.

New Hyde Park, N.Y. - Kimco Realty Corp. has acquired a portfolio of 10 shopping centers from its joint venture with SEB Asset Management for $275.8 million, including $193.6 million of mortgage debt. Kimco, which previously held a 15% ownership interest in the properties, paid approximately $69.8 million for the remaining 85% equity interest held by SEB Asset Management, the group’s specialist real estate manager.

Seven hundred and fifty tons of plastic wrap — the equivalent of 1.5 million pounds — have been saved by Walmart China as a result of a simple change to warehouse operations.

The plastic savings were realized after Walmart developed a new system that involved reusable canvas belts to secure merchandise on pallets, thereby eliminating the need for one-time use plastic wrap. The canvas belt system is now in use at nine of Walmart’s distribution centers in China.

Dublin, Calif. -- Ross Dress for Less will open two new stores in the Kansas City area on July 19. The stores include The Shoppes at Liberty Triangle in Liberty, Missouri, and Quivira 95 Shopping Center in Overland Park, Kansas.  

These new openings are part of the retailer’s 2014 expansion program, totaling approximately 75 new locations during the year.

Dublin, Calif. – Ross Dress for Less will open two new stores in the Mid-Atlantic region on July 19. The stores opening are in the MacDade Mall in Glenolden, Pennsylvania and Windsor Heights Shopping Center in East Windsor, New Jersey.

These new openings are part of the retailer’s 2014 expansion program, totaling approximately 75 new locations during the year.

Dallas -- Corner Bakery Café announced its entry into Oregon, with the addition of franchise partner NW Ventures. As the operator of more than 138 Burger King franchises in Oregon and Mexico, as well as two TGI Fridays in Mexico, NW Ventures joins Corner Bakery Cafe as its 32nd franchise partner, with plans to open 12 neighborhood cafes in the state of Oregon and Vancouver, Washington.

Seattle – Starbucks opens its first store in Colombia on July 16. The three-story location in the capital city of Bogota is the first of 50 stores Starbucks plans to open in Colombia by 2019.

Seattle - Hardy Capital Partners, along with a small group of Canadian investors, have acquired 100% of OnlineShoes.com, a $140 million profitable online footwear retailer based out of Seattle. Hardy Capital Partners has also acquired 100% of ShoeMe.ca, a Vancouver-based online footwear retailer, for an undisclosed amount.