Distribution

The opening of two new Stein Mart stores in New Jersey and California this month will round out the discount department store operator's 2013 capital expansion program and give it a year-end total of 264 units.

The opening follows four new stores last month in El Paso, Texas; Buford, Ga.; Elk Grove, Calif.; and Colorado Springs, Co., as well as a September comparable-store sales increase of 5% and a total net sales increase of 7.3% for the month.

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, a leading marketer of branded consumer lawn and garden products, has reached an agreement with Bell Laboratories, Inc., a leading rodent control technology developer, to acquire the Tomcat consumer rodent control business.

Jacksonville, Fla. -- Stein Mart is expanding its presence this fall with four new stores and two relocated stores. The new stores are located in El Paso, Texas; Buford (Atlanta), Ga.; Elk Grove (Sacramento), Calif.; and Watchung, N.J.

E-commerce facilitator Newgistics has opened three new distribution facilities in Kentucky, California and Illinois encompassing more than 600,000 square feet.

Monroe, Mich. – La-Z-Boy Inc. intends to acquire two La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries stores located in the Youngstown, Ohio, market, with combined revenue of approximately $6.5 million. The stores are located in Boardman and Howland, Ohio, and are owned and operated by independent dealers who are retiring.  

Pittsburgh -- Dick’s Sporting Goods grand-opened three new stores on Friday, bringing the total store count to 541 in the U.S.

The chain opened a store in Redding, Wash., at the Redding Hilltop Center, its 30th store in the state of Washington. A new opening in Victorville, Calif., at The Mall of Victor Valley, marks the 31st Dick’s store in California.

And in Kansas, at the Midstate Plaza in Salina, Dick’s opened its eighth store in the state.

West Chester, Pa. - Dr. Ulrich Flatten will retire as CEO, QVC Germany at the end of the year, after 12 years of service to the company. Under his leadership, Germany has developed into QVC's largest European business and its second largest business outside of the United States.

The Halston brand is going digital with the launch of its flagship e-commerce site in more than 80 countries today, including the U.S. and Canada. The vertical e-commerce site will feature Halston Heritage apparel and accessories.

The brand is also expanding its physical presence, with plans to expand to more than 20 locations by yearend.