Distribution

Schaumburg, Ill. – Sixty-six percent of warehouses plan to expand their IT investments by 2018, a 71% increase in the number of warehouses currently planning an IT expansion. A recent survey of 328 warehouse IT and operational professionals in the logistics, manufacturing, retail and wholesale market segments also indicates that 26% of respondents reported that company management views warehouses and distribution centers as an asset that can drive growth for the business.

Other results of the Motorola Solutions Future of Warehousing Survey include:

Seattle -- Starbucks Coffee Company will enter the country of Columbia, opening a store in the first half of 2014 in Bogota. It will be operated through a joint venture between the company's Latin American franchisee, Alsea, and the food company Grupo Nutresa.

Starbucks said it has "aggressive plans" to open locations in Bogota and other major cities throughout Colombia over the next five years.

NEW YORK — Despite experiencing some challenges, particularly in the U.S., Foot Locker reported a comparable-store sales of 1.8% for the second quarter ended Aug. 3.

New York -- Foot Locker's second-quarter net income increased 12%, partly due to a recent acquisition. (In July, the retailer completed its purchase of German athletic store chain Runners Point Group for $94 million.)

For the period ended Aug. 3, the company earned $66 million, compared to $59 million a year ago. Its results were in line with expectations.

Revenue rose 6.4% to $1.45 billion from $1.37 billion, in line with expectations. Same-store sales rose 1.8%.

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Lowe's expects to complete its West Coast acquisition of 72 Orchard Supply Hardware stores by the end of August. When that happens, current CEO Mark Baker will be replaced at the helm of Orchard Supply by Lowe's executive Richard D. Maltsbarger.

Baker, a former Home Depot executive, took over the Orchard Supply job back in March of 2011. According to the press release announcing the move, Baker "informed Lowe's of his decision to accept a position as president and CEO of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots association following the closing."

Cincinnati — Phillips Edison-ARC Shopping Center REIT has acquired Paradise Crossing, a 67,470-sq.-ft. shopping center anchored by a Publix grocery store.

Located in Lithia Springs, Ga., a suburb of Atlanta, Paradise Crossing is 93.7% occupied. When combined with the Publix lease, 64% of the rents for the center derive from national tenants.

The acquisition brings the REIT’s portfolio to 50 grocery-anchored properties, with an aggregate portfolio purchase price of approximately $729.6 million.

Toano, Va. -- Lumber Liquidators announced the next phase in its multi-year supply chain optimization initiative with the planned construction of a new distribution center in Henrico County, Va., and the leasing of a new West Coast distribution center in Pomona, Calif.