Order Fulfillment

Dick's Sporting Goods said it will build a new distribution center in Goodyear, Ariz. that will service the western United States. The new distribution center, which is expected to bring approximately 120 jobs to the area, is slated to open in early 2013.

Supply chain investments by Home Depot are putting more product within customers' reach. The retailer's 19 rapid deployment centers play an important role in improving both stores' efficiency and in-stock levels.

With most holiday season merchandise already on its way to store shelves, import cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports has started to decline for the fall, and November is forecast at 1.9 percent below the same month last year.

Import cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports is expected to increase 2.6 percent in October over the same month last year and should reach its highest level of the year as retailers stock up for the holiday season, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

Target is a victim of its own success. The discounter drummed up so much hype around its exclusive, limited-time line by upscale Italian designer Missoni that its website crashed and was down most of the day on Sept. 13 when the collection was launched, angering customers. More than a week later, some shoppers who bought the Missoni for Target line are posting on social media websites Facebook and Twitter that they won't shop at Target again because their online orders are being delayed — or worse, canceled — by the retailer.

Import cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports is beginning to see cautious increases over last year again, ending a summer-long downturn as retailers prepare for the holiday season, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

Timberland announced that it will implement an automated order fulfillment and distribution operation from Kiva systems, a developer of mobile-robotic solutions, to automate all wholesale, retail and direct-to-consumer fulfillment activities in its new European Distribution Center which is under construction in Almelo, the Netherlands.

Amazon.com is offering to bring thousands of jobs to California as it tries to back away from confrontation over the state's new internet sales tax law. The online retailing giant proposed opening six distribution centers that would employ a total of 7,000 Californians, according to sources with knowledge of the offer.

Amazon.com said that it's adding hundreds of jobs to a central Pennsylvania distribution center. The company said it would add an unspecified number of full-time jobs at the warehouse in Carlisle. Amazon officials say hourly jobs in packing and shipping will be available, along with management positions.

State officials in Tennessee are raising questions whether Amazon.com should start collecting sales taxes from state customers. The company is building three distribution centers in the state and some legislators believe Amazon should begin collecting sales taxes there.