Distribution

Mississauga, Ontario -- Target Corp. is partnering with Metro Inc. subsidiary McMahon Distributeur pharmaceutique Inc. regarding the operation of in-store pharmacies at Target locations across Quebec. The partnership under McMahon's Brunet banner will provide pharmacies in the majority of Quebec store locations.

Ace Hardware Corp. experienced sales gains in nearly every department, leading to second-quarter revenue of $1.74 billion, a 9.7% increase from $1.07 billion. Net income increased to $42.3 million, compared to net income of $14.9 million in the same quarter last year.

CEO John Venhuizen said the co-op is plaese with the results so far in 2013. "Sales increased in virtually every department with significant growth at both wholesale and retail from our Discovery Edge, Level 3 merchandising re-sets and branding inititatives," he said. 

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. — Whirlpool Corporation has entered into agreements to become a majority shareholder in Hefei Rongshida Sanyo Electric Co. Ltd., a leading home appliances manufacturer based in Hefei, China.

Through this transaction, a Whirlpool Corporation subsidiary will acquire all shares currently owned by Sanyo Electric Co. Ltd. and Sanyo Electric Co. (China) Ltd., and purchase new Hefei Sanyo shares via a private placement.

Washington, D.C. -- Following negative numbers in four of the last five months, import volume at the nation’s major retail container ports is expected to grow 1.7% in August over the same month last year and should continue to see gains through the holiday season and the remainder of 2013, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released Tuesday by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates. The year is expected to end with a 2.4% increase over 2012.

Virginia Beach, Va. — Two Firehouse Subs shops opened Monday, an 1,800-sq.-ft. location in Virginia Beach’s Strawbridge area and a 2,400-sq.-ft. location in Hampton’s Coliseum Central.

Divaris Real Estate represented the sub shop in negotiations for each location.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Pinnacle Foods is buying Wish-Bone salad dressings from Unilever for $580 million.

Combined annual sales, which include the liquid and dry-mix salad dressings under the Wish-Bone and Western brands, total approximately $190 million.

"The transaction enhances our ability to offer consumers meal solutions and recipe ideas across our broad portfolio of brands," Pinnacle Foods CEO Bob Gamgort said in a statement.

Boise, Idaho — WinCo Foods will open a 90,000-sq.-ft. discount supermarket in Bellingham, Wash., on Thursday.

The new store will initially employ 171. The employee-owned discount food chain operates 88 stores and typically ranks as the low priced leader in the markets where it operates.

NEW YORK — Brooks Brothers has named Vivien Kronengold as the company’s EVP and chief marketing officer, a newly created position. 

Kronengold will be responsible for leading the company’s global marketing strategy and will oversee all areas of marketing communications, including brand advertising, creative, digital and social media, direct, visual merchandising, public relations and events.