Distribution

MINNEAPOLIS — Supervalu reported sales of $3.89 billion and a loss of $1.41 billion in fourth quarter 2013, compared with sales of $3.98 billion and a loss of $424 million in fourth quarter 2012.

For the fiscal year, sales were $17.1 billion, compared with $17.3 billion in fiscal year 2012, while the company incurred a loss of $1.46 billion, compared with a $1.04 billion loss the year before.

TREVOSE, Pa. — Airclic, a global provider of cloud-based software that transforms the accuracy, efficiency and competitiveness of mobile supply chain and logistics operations, has appointed Charlie Virden as VP of sales.

HERSHEY, Pa. — The Hershey reported a net sales increase of nearly 6%, driven by core brand volume. Consolidated net sales were $1.8 billion for the first quarter ended March 31, compared with $1.7 billion for the same period last year. 

Reported net income for the first quarter of 2013 was $242 million compared with $199 million for the same period last year.

Secaucus, N.J. -- The Children's Place said Wednesday that current CFO Michael Scarpa has also been appointed COO, effective immediately.

Scarpa will continue to oversee finance, information technology, distribution, logistics and wholesale, and will add store operations, store development and international to his current responsibilities.

Prior to joining The Children's Place, Scarpa was COO and CFO of The Talbots.

New York -- Supervalu Inc., which recently divested 877 supermarkets in a $3.3 billion transaction, reported Wednesday a loss of $179 million in the fourth quarter, widened from $42 million in the year-ago period.    

New York -- The Jones Group Inc. announced Monday that it will put into action a series of events designed to shore up profitability, the most significant of which includes shuttering 170 underperforming stores in the U.S. by mid-2014.

The stores identified for closure include 50 units previously announced in the fourth quarter.

Brentwood, Tenn. -- Tractor Supply Co. reported Wednesday that net income for the quarter ended March 30 rose to $44 million, compared with $40.3 million in the year-ago period.

Sales increased 6.4% to $1.09 billion from $1.02 billion in the prior year's first quarter. Same-store sales edged up 0.5%.

NEW YORK — The Jones Group Inc. plans to close 170 under-performing stores in the U.S. by mid-2014 as part of its efforts to shore up profitability.

The stores identified for closure include 50 units previously announced in the fourth quarter.

Jones, which owns the Nine West, Jones New York and Anne Klein banners among others, will emerge from the restructuring with a higher percentage of outlet stores in its portfolio, and some units will be converted to more viable sister banners.

EMERYVILLE, Calif. — Clif Bar & Company has promoted president and COO Kevin Cleary to CEO. In his new role, Cleary will focus on expanding Clif Bar’s growth in the sports nutrition and healthy snacks category while continuing to lead the company’s day-to-day business operations. 

Owners Gary Erickson and Kit Crawford will continue as co-chairs of Clif Bar & Company’s board of directors and become co-chief visionary officers guiding the company’s Five Aspirations business model.

SECAUCUS, N.J. — Children's Place CFO Michael Scarpa has added COO to his credentials. Scarpa, who oversees finance, information technology, distribution, logistics and wholesale, will add store operations, store development and international to his responsibilities. Scarpa will continue to report to president and CEO Jane Elfers.