Distribution

London -- Wm. Morrison Supermarkets PLC said Thursday that it has acquired a 10% stake in U.S. online grocer FreshDirect, based in New York City.

According to Morrison, the U.K. fourth-largest supermarket chain, the acquisition marks its debut in the online food market.

Morrison has also announced plans to test a c-store format and to expand its grocery store counts in order to increase its presence in the U.K grocery market.

Atlanta -- The Hudson's Bay Co., based in Toronto, Ontario, said it has selected Warehouse Management from Manhattan Associates to help raise productivity within its distribution centers.

The retailer also selected solutions from Manhattan’s Transportation Lifecycle Management suite to streamline transportation processes for HBC across Canada, as well as for Lord & Taylor across the United States.

LA JOLLA, Calif. — Kashi announced the launch of its berry blossoms cereal and cherry vanilla cereal bars.

The company said its berry blossoms cereal features pillow-shaped graham cereal squares made with seven whole grains and tossed with a tasty blend of real fruit, including strawberries, blackberries and blueberries.

ABC Supply Co. has announced the promotion of Tom Whitcomb to Customer Financial Services director for its Midwest region, based in Fitchburg, Wis.

In his new role, Whitcomb will direct all credit and collection activities for the region, which includes branches in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

New York City -- Aeropostale announced that it has signed a licensing agreement with Montreal PTE Ltd., a joint venture between Apparel Group LLC and Jay Gee Melwani Group, to open approximately 25 stores across Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia, over the next five years.

The first store is scheduled to open in Singapore later this year.

Seattle -- Electric transportation technology provider ECOtality said Monday that it has partnered with grocer Fred Meyer, a division of The Kroger Co., to install car-charging stations at select stores in Oregon and Washington.

The Blink Level 2 Electric Vehicle Commercial Pedestal Charging Stations will also be installed on major transportation corridors between Seattle store locations and the United States border with Canada.

The deal makes Fred Meyer ECOtality’s first food retail partner in the Northwest.

WAYNE, N.J. – With reports of a possible IPO looming and strong quarterly results, Toys"R"Us is poised to dominate the toy sector, which has shown signs of a resurgence and renewed consumer interest, thanks to a number of innovations and must-have items as displayed during the 2011 Toy Fair. 

According to reports, the company is considering the idea of filing for an initial public offering this April, which is expected to raise about $800 million.