Distribution

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Robert Ingle, the founder and CEO of regional supermarket chain Ingles Markets, died March 6, the company announced Monday. He was 77.

The company's board of directors said Ingle will be succeeded by his son, Robert Ingle II, who has been Ingles chairman of the board since 2004.

Ingle, who founded the business in 1963, served as CEO since the company was incorporated in 1965, as well as president from 1965 until 1982.

Ingles Markets operates 203 supermarkets across six southeastern states.

NEW YORK — EcoTools, an earth-friendly bath and beauty products brand, has made its way to Walmart.

Last month, a variety of EcoTools cosmetic brushes lined the shelves of Walmart stores throughout the country. EcoTools also introduced the EcoTools everyday collection 6-piece brush set exclusively at Walmart. The collection, which comes in a hemp case, includes an angled blush brush, an angle eyeliner brush, concealer brush, eye shading brush and detailer/lip brush. The 6-piece set retails for $10.98.

The National Governors Association named Walmart the recipient of its annual Public-Private Partnership Award at the closing of its 2011 Winter Meeting. The award is now in its fifth year and honors companies that have partnered with a governor's office to implement a program or project that positively affects the state's citizens. Walmart was nominated by Arkansas Gov.

Albany, N.Y. -- Trans World Entertainment said that net income for the fourth quarter rose to $12.4 million $11.4 million as it continued to cut costs by closing more of its f.y.e. (For Your Entertainment) stores.

Total sales for the quarter fell 22%, to $231.2 million. Same-store sales fell 6%.

For fiscal 2010, Trans World posted its fourth consecutive annual net loss. The net loss for the year was $31 million, compared with a net loss of $42.4 million in fiscal 2009.

Topeka, Kan. -- Collective Brands, the parent company of Payless ShoeSource, said Wednesday that its net loss narrowed slightly in the fourth quarter as sales improved in its wholesale unit. The performance beat Wall Street expectations.

For the three months ended Jan. 29, Collective Brands lost $10.1 million, compared with a loss of $10.9 million in the year-ago period.

Topeka, Kan. -- Collective Brands, the parent company of Payless ShoeSource, said Wednesday that its net loss narrowed slightly in the fourth quarter as sales improved in its wholesale unit. The performance beat Wall Street expectations.

For the three months ended Jan. 29, Collective Brands lost $10.1 million, compared with a loss of $10.9 million in the year-ago period.

New York City -- Target has partnered with two local developers to purchase a 7.9-acre United States Postal Service site in the Throgs Neck section of Bronx, N.Y., for $35.2 million, where they plan to build a 300,000-sq.-ft. mall, according to New York Read Estate News.