Distribution

By Kevin Kulinowski, Robert Grosskopf and Rick Edwards, Gordon Brothers Group

The defining paradox of our industry is that closing stores has become a trademark of successful retail companies. Certainly healthy retailers are opening new stores; but shuttering locations has become the norm as well and, in most instances, is equally indicative of positive growth.

Publix is making its North Carolina debut with the planned opening of a new store in the greater Charlotte area.

The company has signed a lease for a store at Providence Road West and Johnston Road in Ballantyne. The store will be part of a new division based in Charlotte.

While Ballantyne marks Publix’s long awaited entry into North Carolina, the company is looking ahead to continued growth within the state and in its current operating areas of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Tennessee.

Dallas -- SRS Real Estate Partners has been selected to represent Shopko in the disposition of its outlot properties and vacant properties in 19 states across the Midwest and western United States.

The outlots range in size from 14,000 sq. ft. to 219,000 sq. ft., and the vacant properties range in size from 18,700-sq.-ft. retail locations to a 214,000-sq.-ft. industrial property.

Santa Monica, Calif. -- SPL Realty Partners, exclusively representing Australian women’s activewear retailer Lorna Jane, announced 11 leases have been secured for Lorna Jane’s expansion into the United States.

The retail sites are located throughout the Southern California region including stores in Santa Monica, Woodland Hills, Glendale, Irvine and Huntington Beach.

A warehouse was also secured for the support of the network of retail stores and online fulfillment in Santa Monica, Calif.

CITY OF COMMERCE, Calif. — 99 Cents Only has leased 40 new compressed natural gas-powered tractors from Ryder.

The new CNG trucks will operate exclusively in the Southern California market, making store deliveries and picking up goods from vendors. As part of its full-service lease, Ryder will provide both the CNG tractors, as well as maintenance for the vehicles. The chain said the tractors will replace its oldest diesel burning units with cleaner CNG rigs, making it one of the largest private Class-8 CNG fleets in Southern California.

Deerfield, Ill. -- Walgreens on Monday announced that it has completed its purchase of 144 stores operating under the USA Drug, Super D Drug, May’s Drug, Med-X and Drug Warehouse banners located in Arkansas, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, Oklahoma and Tennessee.

The acquisition also includes corporate offices, a distribution center located in Pine Bluff, Ark., and a wholesale and private brand business, for a total of approximately $438 million subject to adjustment in certain circumstances.

Commerce, Calif. -- 99 Cents Only Stores said Tuesday it has leased 40 new compressed natural gas powered tractors from Ryder, which will replace diesel burning units with cleaner CNG rigs.

The move is expected to reduce the carbon footprint of the fleet and its CO2 emissions by up to 25%, said Eric Schiffer, CEO.  

The new CNG trucks will operate exclusively in the Southern California market, making store deliveries and picking up goods from vendors.

Zug, Switzerland -- Swiss drugstore chain Alliance Boots said Monday it has acquired a 12% stake in Chinese pharmaceutical wholesaler Nanjing Pharmaceutical Co. for $88.5 million.

The deal follows Walgreen Co.’s $7 billion investment in Alliance Boots in a move to expand into China.

Alliance Boots runs the largest drugstore chain in the United Kingdom.

Walgreen’s initial plan is to acquire about 45% of Alliance Boots with an option to buy the rest of the company in three years.