Logistics

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Mass merchandise chain Meijer has acquired a Michigan-based dairy, the company said.

Meijer announced the purchase of Bareman's Dairy, a family-owned company based in Holland, Mich., and the intention of investing more than $8 million into expansion of the plant.

Waterloo, Ontario -- Descartes Systems Group announced that John Lewis Partnership has successfully deployed Descartes' Reservations and Route Planner solution to consolidate home deliveries for larger goods into one dynamic booking system.

SEATTLE — Amazon's fulfillment services just got a boost, thanks to an agreement that will have the company buying Kiva Systems Inc. for $775 million in cash. Kiva is a manufacturer of automation technology for fulfillment centers, and is best known for its mobile- robotic technology and sophisticated control software. Kiva's retail customers include The Gap, Staples, Saks 5th Avenue, Office Depot, Crate and Barrel and Walgreens.

WEST CHESTER, Pa. — QVC is building a presence in China through a new joint venture with Beijing-based China National Radio (CNR), China's government-owned radio division. Through this partnership, CNR and QVC will jointly operate a multimedia retailing business in China through the CNR Mall TV shopping channel and its e-commerce website (www.CNRMall.com), leveraging the strengths and resources of each company.

Seattle -- Amazon.com on Monday announced it has agreed to buy Kiva Systems Inc. for $775 million in cash. Kiva is a manufacturer of automation technology for fulfillment centers, and is best known for its mobile- robotic technology and sophisticated control software.

New York -- The Kroger Co. appointed Suzanne Lindsay as its first director of sustainability. Prior to Kroger, Lindsay led sustainability initiatives at PetSmart.

“We have made substantial progress in sustainability in the past five years through energy savings, waste reduction, transportation efficiency and by reducing the use of plastic bags,” said Lynn Marmer, group VP, corporate affairs at Kroger. “Suzanne will help us accelerate our progress and identify new opportunities to improve our environmental stewardship.”

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. — A former Safeway executive has joined Dollar General as its EVP store operations.

Effective March 19, Greg Sparks will assume all responsibilities for the operations of more than 9,900 retail stores in 38 states and serve on Dollar General's real estate and store development committee, the company said. Sparks will report to chairman and CEO Rick Dreiling.

Sparks most recently served as president of Safeway's Seattle division. His departure from the supermarket retailer was announced earlier this week.

Washington, D.C. -- A report released Tuesday by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates said that import cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports is expected to increase 10% in March compared with the same month last year. And, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker, year-over-year gains should continue through mid-summer.