Distribution

Memphis -- Perkins Restaurant & Bakery announced a six-unit franchise development agreement in Iowa and Nebraska over the next six years.  

The expanded development of the Iowa/Nebraska area was signed with Perkins franchisee CyHawk Hospitality Inc., which operates six Perkins Restaurants and Bakeries — five in Iowa and another in Independence, Mo.  
 
The first of the six additional units opened in July in Ankeny, Iowa, to be followed by a location in Norfolk, Neb., slated to open in September.

Chicago -- Claire's Stores announced its recent entry into three new countries — Philippines, Costa Rica and Colombia — as well as new license agreements for Brazil, Scandinavia and the Balkans.

Jim Fielding, CEO, stated: "We continue to identify expansion opportunities worldwide. Our franchise partners have opened stores in three new countries in 2013 and we expect to enter an additional three countries during the rest of the year. We are pleased with our progress to date and encouraged by the opportunities."

The husband of a woman who died following a bizarre series of developments precipitated by a shopping trip to Walmart is pursuing an even more bizarre lawsuit alleging the retailer and its manufacturer of plastic bags are at fault.

Minneapolis -- Target Corporation will open 23 new stores in Canada this fall, including its first stores in Quebec and Nova Scotia, along with additional Ontario locations in Ottawa and surrounding area. Fourteen stores will open on Sept. 17, and nine on Oct. 18.

August seems to have delivered a mixed bag to various retailers, but Costco seems to have fared well with reported net sales of $7.95 billion for the four weeks ended Sept. 1, an increase of 7% from $7.44 billion during the prior-year period.

Comparable-store sales in the U.S., adjusted to exclude changes in gasoline prices, increased 5% for August and for the fourth quarter and increased 6% for the 52-week period.

For the fourth quarter, the company reported net sales of $31.8 billion, an increase of 1% from $31.5 billion in the prior-year quarter.

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. — Dollar General reported record sales, operating profit and net income for its second quarter ended Aug. 2, driven, in part, by the company’s newly introduced tobacco products and strong sales of perishables and candy and snacks.

The company’s net income increased 15% to $245 million in the quarter, from $214 million in the year-ago quarter, and earnings per diluted share of $0.75 in the quarter increased 17% over EPS of $0.64 in the year-ago quarter. 

Multichannel integration hasn’t exactly been Target’s strong suit to date, but this holiday season could be different if the company is able to successfully roll out an order online, pick up in store service.

Two hundred Target stores will begin offering the EveryOne brand of organics and all nature health and beauty items from EO products.

The company bills itself as theoriginal and ultimate essential oil based personal care company and said its products are designed to meet the increasing demand for healthy body products at a great price. Target will offer EO’s EveryOne Soap in Citrus + Mint, EveryOne Soap in Coconut + Lemon, and EveryOne Lotion in Coconut + Lemon in a 32 ounce pump bottle that retails for less than $10.