Logistics

Seattle -- A report by Bloomberg said that Nordstrom Inc. will introduce an ongoing free shipping program for all purchases made at its department stores starting next week.

The program was unveiled just months after Nordstrom introduced standard free shipping and returns on its online orders. It was the first department store chain to do so.

NEW YORK — Kohl’s Department Stores has opened eight new stores, bringing approximately 1,000 new jobs nationwide. The company now operates 1,134 stores in 49 states.

The new stores are located in seven states, including Florida, Illinois, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina and Pennsylvania. Of the eight locations, seven are small format stores with approximately 64,000 sq. ft. or less of retail space, providing greater real estate flexibility.

Columbus, Ohio -- Big Lots’ fourth-quarter net income rose 4% to $114.7 million for the period ended Jan. 28, up from $110.1 million a year earlier. The chain also said it anticipates 90 new store openings in the United States in 2012.

Big Lots’ revenue in the quarter rose 10% to $1.67 billion, from $1.52 billion.

Jacksonville, Fla. -- Shopping center owner Regency Centers said Thursday that it has launched construction on Southpark at Cinco Ranch, a 260,000-sq.-ft. neighborhood center anchored by Kroger, in Fort Bend County, Houston.

In partnership with Excel Commercial Real Estate, Regency Centers began construction of the center’s first phase on Feb. 20, with anchor openings scheduled for fourth quarter 2012.

Petaluma, Calif. -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said it will begin construction of East Washington Place, a 378,000-sq.-ft. community center anchored by Target.

Located in Petaluma, Calif., the new development is strategically located at the intersection of two main arterial roads, East Washington Street and Highway 101, with daily traffic counts in excess of 92,000. Regency Centers will invest approximately $61 million into the project, which will create approximately 380 construction jobs and 720 permanent jobs.

By Ken Burkeen, [email protected]

News this week that Walmart acquired a majority stake in one of China’s fastest growing e-commerce companies positions Walmart to become a dominant multichannel player in China far faster than it ever would have on its own.

Nashville, Tenn. -- X Team International announced that Nashville-based partner Baker Storey McDonald Properties has acquired two shopping centers located in Kentucky and Ohio.