Distribution

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores, in a presentation at a Bank of America Merrill Lynch conference on Thursday, announced that it would open “hundreds” of smaller-format stores over the next three years.

According to Bill Simon, president and CEO of Wal-Mart U.S., the ramped-up development could be augmented by some acquisition activity, although he didn’t elaborate on specifics.

NEW YORK -- Phillips-Van Heusen and Comfort Revolution announced that they have entered into a licensing agreement under which Comfort Revolution will market and distribute memory foam bedding and stadium seat cushions under PVH’s IZOD brand. The licensing agreement has an initial term of just over two years and provides for a three-year renewal at PVH’s option.

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.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- An online order and same-day pick up service will be expanded to all Walmart stores beginning this month, the company announced. The “Pick-Up Today” service allows shoppers who make a purchase online to pick up their merchandise within about four hours if the order is placed before 6 p.m. Orders place after that time are available for pick up the next day before 10 a.m.

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.

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.

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.