Distribution

Boucherville, Quebec - Canadian home improvement retailer Rona Inc. is closing 11 non-profitable stores as part of a broader restructuring plan. Rona will also reduce administrative, marketing, merchandising and distribution expenses and eliminate 125 administrative jobs. In February 2013, Rona cut 200 jobs.

Rona rejected an unsolicited $1.72 billion USD buyout offer from Lowe’s in August 2012.

Benicia, Calif. -- Cycle Gear Inc. opened its second Illinois store in Tinley Park, a suburb just south of Chicago.

The motorcycle apparel and accessories chain operates about 100 stores nationwide.

Framingham, Mass. – Staples has reached the milestone of having 500 buildings meet EPA Energy Star certification. The facilities include stores, distribution centers and sales offices nationwide. Staples also launched a goal to reach 1,000 Energy Star facilities by the end of 2016.

Cincinnati – As part of its seventh annual sustainability report, Kroger is committing to moving its stores toward the EPA zero waste threshold of 90%. Currently Kroger diverts 58% of its waste from stores and will increase that figure to 65% by the end of this year and 70% by the end of 2015. The retailer also is committing to sourcing 100% certified sustainable palm oil by the end of 2015.

Kroger is committing to moving its stores toward the EPA zero waste threshold of 90%, according to its seventh annual sustainability report.

Currently Kroger diverts 58% of its waste from stores and will increase that figure to 65% by the end of this year and 70% by the end of 2015. The retailer also is committing to sourcing 100% certified sustainable palm oil by the end of 2015.

ATLANTA — The HoneyBaked Ham Company is gearing up for aggressive growth in the Northeastern U.S., and plans to sign more franchise deals in areas where demand for the brand is growing.

Atlanta - A Tuesday report by the Atlanta Business Chronicle said that the HoneyBaked Ham Co. of Georgia will expand in the Northeast with 30 new stores over the next five years, and will make its international debut in Japan via a partnership with Toranomon Ham Co. Ltd.

“Demand is growing in the northeast region,” said Molly Kesmodel, VP franchise development at HoneyBaked Ham. “Strategically speaking, we have had a solid year thus far with signed deals in Pennsylvania, Alabama and Georgia."

Bentonville, Ark. - Wal-Mart Stores announced Tuesday it has completed solar projects at eight Walmart stores and two Sam's Clubs across the state of Maryland that will generate clean, renewable electricity.