Distribution

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. — Kohl’s has activated its largest solar project to date at its million-sq.-ft. e-commerce fulfillment center in Edgewood, Md.

Kohl’s, a leader in renewable energy usage, opened the facility in 2011, and recently earned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification from the U.S. Green Building Council at the gold level. The location is Kohl’s sixth solar site in Maryland. It is also the company’s first LEED-certified logistics facility.

North Bergen, N.J. -- The Vitamin Shoppe announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase the assets of Super Supplements, a specialty retailer of vitamin, mineral and supplements for approximately $50 million.

Super Supplements, headquartered in Seattle, operates 31 stores in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. The acquisition expands the Vitamin Shoppe's presence in the Pacific

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Former Kellogg Company executive Carlos Canals has joined Ciao Bella as CEO.

Ciao Bella is a gelato and sorbet brand that recently added Greek frozen yogurt to its dessert lineup.

TREVOSE, Pa. — Broder Bros., a leading distributor of trade, private label and retail apparel brands and merchandise, has appointed Norman Hullinger as its new CEO.

Hullinger has been with the company for the last decade, most recently as its COO.

New York -- Wal-Mart Stores and Kroger are said to be among the bidders for assets being sold by Hostess Brands Inc., according to Bloomberg.

The report, which cited a person who asked not to be named because the process is confidential, said there are about two dozen bidders, with some interested in just the cakes or breads businesses, and others in individual Hostess plants or products.
 

BELLEVUE, Wash. — Outdoor lifestyle brand Eddie Bauer has named former Best Buy executive Steve Venegas as its new VP of distribution North America.

Venegas is a seasoned outdoor industry executive, most recently holding the position of VP of distribution for VF Outdoor, Inc., which includes brands such as the North Face, Reef, Lucy, Eagle Creek and JanSport.

Cargo volumes at U.S. ports are forecast to increase 3.9% this month following a 5.6% decline in November. That’s the good news, but now retailers and suppliers have to worry about the possibility of a strike at East coast ports.

The strike by workers at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach negatively affected container volumes in November, but resolution of the strike after eight days meant disruption in December was limited to just two days, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report compiled by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates

WAYZATA, Minn. — Sugar substitute Truvia will expand beyond U.S. borders, bringing its stevia sweeteners to Mexico.

Truvia has joined forces with Grupo Herdez, a market leader in the production, distribution, and sale of foods in Mexico, to distribute and market Truvia sweetener in Mexico. Truvia, which recently branched into Canada, will now have a presence throughout North America in 2013, although it could face an uphill battle in Mexico where artificial sweeteners have yet to catch on with consumers.