Logistics

Bentonville, Ark. -- Walmart announced that through its charitable arm, the Walmart Foundation, it is committing $1 million in cash and in-kind donations to support emergency relief efforts following the recent Southern storms, Midwest floods and Texas wildfires.

Mooresville, N.C. -- Lowe’s will rebuild its store in Sanford, N.C., that was demolished by a tornado April 16, the company announced Thursday.

Lowe’s will tear down what is left of the remaining building, which has been condemned, and build a new facility on the site, said company spokeswoman Karen Cobb. The chain hopes to re-open the store this fall.

Phoenix -- PetSmart celebrated Earth Day on Friday with the announcement that its distribution center in McCarran, Nev., has been awarded Silver Certification under the LEED (Leadership for Energy and Environmental Design) for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance rating system.

New York City -- Tesco PLC said Tuesday that its profit rose 14% to $4.3 billion in its most recent fiscal year ending Feb.26, while annual group sales increased 8% to almost $106 billion. However, losses continued to mount at its U.S. division, Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market, which lost about $302.6 million. The division, which opened its first stores in 2007, now has 172 locations. It has yet to post a profit.

Tesco remains committed to Fresh & Easy, and said it is ramping up expansion, with about 50 stores on tap for this year.

The multichannel capabilities of Toys “R” Us were enhanced this week when the company announced plans to open a new online fulfillment center near Reno, Nev., that will allow for more timely shipment of West coast customers’ online orders.

Wayne, N.J. -- Toys “R” Us announced Wednesday that it will open a new e-commerce distribution center near Reno, Nev., to support its expanding online business.

The dedicated e-commerce fulfillment center, located in McCarran, is slated to open in July.

Once operational, the retailer said the 300,000-sq.-ft. facility will enable it to increase its fulfillment capacity and expedite deliveries to online customers in the western United States.

San Francisco -- Gap said Tuesday that it is establishing an international division, based in London, to ramp up overseas growth, and will open its first Old Navy stores abroad -- in Japan -- by 2012.

Gap said it has set a goal for international and online sales to make up 30% of its total by 2013, up from 22% in 2010 and 14% in 2006. The new international division will oversee stores across Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, Asia Pacific and South America.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores on Monday released its "2011 Global Responsibility Report." According to the report, the chain has made steady year-to-year improvement towards its goals of creating zero waste, using 100% renewable energy and selling products that sustain people and the environment.