Distribution

UNION, N.J. — The growth prospects of the nation’s leading home goods retailer is being questioned following a solid first quarter performance and weaker-than-expected outlook.

The Container Store credits its “employees-first” culture as integral to its success, believing that if you make employees your highest priority, they in turn will take better care of customers. It’s a business model that extends to all facets of the chain’s operations — including the decision to deploy a voice-directed warehouse picking system.

DAVENPORT, Iowa — Von Mauer may not be a household name in the retail world, but the Davenport, Iowa-based department store chain must be doing something right with its online business.

Davenport, Iowa -- Department store retailer Von Maur said Thursday it has begun construction on an expansion of its e-commerce fulfillment center to support continued growth in its web presence.

Projected for completion in October 2012, the expansion will add an additional 73,000 sq. ft. to the company's current 46,000-sq.-ft. center in Davenport, Iowa.

New York -- The Home Depot plans to spend $1.3 billion on new technology and $700 million to build 36 new stores from 2013-15, according to a report by Investors Daily.

The report was based on remarks chain’s senior VP finance, Ted Decker, made Tuesday at Jefferies Global Consumer Conference.

Decker also said the company plans to build “new state-of-the-art distribution facilities” to leverage its stores.
 

New York -- Zumiez Inc. on Tuesday said it has agreed to buy Austria-based Blue Tomato for 59.5 million euros ($75 million). The teen retailer also raised its second-quarter revenue outlook.

Blue Tomato sells branded snowboarding and skating gear, apparel and footwear through its e-commerce website, which is available in 15 languages, and five stores in Austria. The company will continue to be headquartered in Schladming, Austria, and senior management will continue in their current roles.

New York -- Walgreen Co. said Tuesday it will pay $6.7 billion for a 45% stake in European health and beauty retailer Alliance Boots, which is based Nottingham, England, with an option to buy the rest of the company in about three years. It is the first international venture and biggest deal ever for the U.S. chain.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens and Alliance Boots took the first step in creating what will be the first and largest global retail pharmacy player, the two companies announced Tuesday.  "This creates an opportunity for us together to create an international expansion platform," Walgreens president and CEO Greg Wasson told reporters and analysts early Tuesday morning.

Alliance Boots is a U.K.-based international, pharmacy-led health and beauty group that operates 3,330 retail businesses in 11 countries.