Distribution

Bentonville, Ark. -- A report Thursday by the Associated Press said that Wal-Mart Stores executives met Thursday to discuss the proposed Massmart acquisition, which is expected to close in June.

According to the report, as Wal-Mart expands its international business, the company wants to bring ideas it gains from the South African chain to other markets.

Chicago -- Transwestern’s Chicago Retail Advisory Services team said Wednesday it represented Tuesday Morning in five transactions across the Chicagoland area totaling 95,416 sq. ft.

New York City -- South Carolina legislators gave final approval Wednesday to a deal bringing Amazon.com and its promise of 2,000 jobs to the state, the Associated Press reported.

The House voted 90-14 to approve a compromise brokered last week in the Senate, sending the measure to Gov. Nikki Haley's desk.

Sales and profits continued to pile up at the nation’s largest dollar store operator during the first quarter as shoppers sought value at the retailer’s 9,500 stores.

The company reported a 5.4% increase in same-store sales and said total sales increased 10.9% to $3.45 billion during the quarter ended April 29. Profits adjusted to account for several one-time items increased 14% to $166 million, while earnings per share of 48 centers were two cents shy of analysts’ consensus estimate due to gross margins pressures.

New York City -- CVS Caremark Corp. won a $3 billion contract to provide pharmacy benefits to federal employees.

The contract has been handled by pharmacy benefits manager Medco Health Solutions since 2008. Medco disclosed on Friday that Blue Cross Blue Shield Association would not renew a contract that saw Medco handle mail order and specialty drug benefits for the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, which provides health insurance to federal government employees, retirees, and their families.

NEW YORK — Barneys New York has announced that its e-commerce website, Barneys.com (www.Barneys.com), has introduced international shipping to 90 countries including Canada, South Korea, the United Kingdom, Australia, and China.

According to Barneys, international customers will be able to make payments on Barneys.com in their preferred currency with cost-effective international shipping and handling services.  

San Francisco -- Gap will enter the Italian outlet center market, opening a namesale store at the Vicolungo Outlet Center near Milan, on June 2.

It may have taken longer than originally thought, but competition authorities in South Africa cleared the way for Walmart to move forward with its acquisition of Massmart, the company announced Tuesday.