Logistics

Washington, D.C. – U.S. retailers reportedly have $300 million in refunds with ocean freight vendors, yet they are unaware of this because of invoice errors by their ocean freight transportation providers. According to a report from ocean freight auditing service Ocean Audit, problems with infrastructure of ocean freight carriers are also part of the issue.

Phoenix -- PetSmart on Friday celebrated the opening of a new distribution center in Berks County, Pa.

The new facility will bring an estimated 500 jobs to Berks County by the end of 2016. The 870,000-sq.-ft. DC will serve 25% of PetSmart’s stores in eleven states, handling and delivering consumables, hard goods and fish to 170 PetSmart stores in 2014 and more than 260 stores by 2015.

Atlanta -- Manhattan Associates announced that Floor & Decor, a leading specialty retailer in the hard surface flooring market, has selected Manhattan Associates' transportation management system (TMS) and warehouse management System (WMS) solutions to unify its distribution systems under a robust platform that will support the company's growth. Manhattan's solutions will enable the company to gain more visibility across all networks and automate distribution processes.

San Jose, Calif. -- EBay Enterprise, an EBay company, will open a new fulfillment center in Ontario, Canada, in second quarter 2014. The new 150,000-sq.-ft. facility will support client growth, including The Children’s Place, which recently signed a new multiyear agreement with EBay Enterprise.

Bentonville, Ark. – Wal-Mart showcased its futuristic truck at the Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS) in Louisville, Ky. The Walmart Advanced Vehicle Experience is a tractor-trailer combination that features leading edge aerodynamics, an advanced turbine-powered range extending series hybrid powertrain, electrified auxiliary components, and sophisticated control systems, developed in support of the company’s sustainability program.

Chicago — Simon Property Group has awarded the leasing assignment for a trio of shopping centers totaling more than one million sq. ft. to JLL. Each is located at prime intersections in the southern suburbs of Chicago. They include:

• Country Side Plaza in Countryside, Ill. Anchored by Home Depot and Value City Furniture, the 400,000-sq.-ft. center has junio anchor and small shop space available.

Atlanta -- Crowd-sourced delivery company Kanga has launched a new iPhone and Android app that will place on-demand delivery options in the hands of local customers. The first market to pilot the on-demand shipping solution is Kanga’s home base of Atlanta.

The solution, which leverages crowd-sourced labor, is designed to connect customers and retailers with local delivery drivers.

Matthews, N.C. - Family Dollar Stores Inc. has named Brian D. Hancock to the position of senior VP supply chain. Hancock will report to Howard R. Levine, chairman and CEO.