Logistics

Seattle - Amazon.com Inc. has expanded Prime Now service to Atlanta. The expedited delivery service, offered exclusively as a benefit to Prime members, provides one-hour delivery on tens of thousands of items through a mobile app.

By Ken Nisch

The evolution of shopping based on the consumer mindset that is reflective of the past and targeted for the future can be described as a “Digital Ecosystem.” Much like the proverbial iceberg, this ecosystem has most of the system existing before the consumer “waterline.” Above this waterline exist the elements for which we are most accepting; such as mobile and tablet interface, kiosks across applications ranging from the ATM, to the calling of an Uber cab street side.

Minneapolis — Target Canada announced that it will complete its inventory liquidation efforts and close the last of its 133 Canadian retail stores to the public on April 12.

Walmart Vice President of Supply Chain Services Debbie Hodges is the featured speaker at the April gathering of Doing Business in Bentonville.

The organization recently confirmed that Hodges would be the featured speaker at an event to be held Thursday April 16 at 7 a.m. at the Four Points by Sheraton in Bentonville.

Among the topics Hodges plans to address are the role and structure of the Supply Chain Services team, key initiatives currently underway and the impact on suppliers.

By Rich Thompson, JLL
 
Port problems on the West coast are giving retailers more than just a headache; it’s more like a severe case of sea sickness. But diversifying supply chain strategies can take the edge off.

New York -- Europe's largest home improvement retailer, Kingfisher, plans to close about 60 underperforming B&Q stores in Britain amid a 7.5% decrease in annual profit, Reuters reported.

Currently, B&Q operates some 360 stores.

In other news, Kevin O'Byrne, CEO for B&Q U.K. and Ireland, will leave the company on May 15, the report said.

Aldi's pace of growth is about to quicken now that its acquisition of Delhaize Group's Bottom Dollar Food store locations is complete.

The retailer announced it has completed its purchase of 66 real estate assets from the Delhaize Group. The transaction includes the land, buildings and leasehold improvements associated with Delhaize's recently retired Bottom Dollar Food operation.

Corte Madera, Calif. -- Restoration Hardware Holdings Inc. (RH) reported that its profit for the fourth quarter increased a better-than-expected 25% to $42.5 million from $34.0 million in the year-ago period. The upscale home furnishings company cited the West Coast port slowdown in providing first-quarter guidance that fell short of projections. But it remained upbeat about the long-term, and disclosed that it is working on two new concepts that will be revealed later this year.