Distribution

Import volume at the nation’s major retail container ports is expected to grow 1.8% in December, compared to the same month last year, and the year should end with an increase of 2.3% from 2012.

According to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates, U.S. ports followed by Global Port Tracker handled 1.43 million 20-ft. Equivalent Units (TEU) in October, the latest month for which after-the-fact numbers are available.

Seattle – Amazon.com is reportedly using robots from Kiva Systems at three distribution centers. According to the Wall Street Journal, the robots bring merchandise from shelves to warehouse workers and can potentially reduce the cost of filling an order by 20% to 40%, for an annual savings of more than $900 million.

Amazon purchased Kiva for $775 million in March 2012 and according to a recent financial disclosure now has 1,400 Kiva robots in service helping fulfill orders. The retailer declined to comment on the project.

The WhiteWave Foods Company, a leading consumer packaged food and beverage company in North America and Europe, plans to acquire Earthbound Farm, a leading organic food brand, from its existing shareholders led by Kainos Capital and founders Drew & Myra Goodman, for approximately $600 million in cash.

Bangalore, India – Infosys and Procter & Gamble (P&G) have co-developed TradeEdge, a new cloud-based, insights-driven sales platform, which provides visibility to global brands across the demand chain, from distributors to consumers. The new platform delivers insights that help brands accurately sense and fulfill consumer demand in emerging markets.

Product designer, marketer and distributor FirsTime Design Limited elevated Christopher Bering to the role of president and CEO.

The company, which does business as FirsTime Manufactory through its License Products subsidiary, said Bering will also serve as a member of the board. Bering previously served as president and COO and fills the position occupied by Pete Wierenga since January 2012. Wierenga will continue to serve as chairman of the board.

Amazon's fresh food delivery service may be expanding to San Francisco, according to published reports.

All Things Digital, a Dow Jones-owned website that reports on technology news, reported on several sightings in San Francisco of AmazonFresh trucks, as well as a recent job posting.

According to the site, Amazon plans to announce the service's launch on Tuesday. Amazon began offering the service in Seattle and recently expanded it to Los Angeles. AmazonFresh allows users to shop online for produce, dairy products, dry goods and others.

Pittsburgh – American Eagle reported disappointing results for the third quarter of fiscal 2013. Net income plummeted 68% to $24.9 million from $78.6 million, missing Wall Street projections.

Total net revenue of $857 million decreased 6% compared to $910 million last year. Same-store sales fell 5%.

Columbus, Ohio – Big Lots reported a net loss of $9.5 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2013, up from a net loss of about $6 million in the year-ago period. The retailer also said it will exit the unprofitable Canadian market, which it entered through an acquisition in 2011.

Net sales grew about 2% in the same period, to $1.15 billion from $1.13 billion, and consolidated same-store sales declined about 2.5%.