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Bergen, N.J. -- Vitamin Shoppe said Monday it has opened its first international franchised Vitamin Shoppe store, located in Panama City. The store, which opened March 4, is owned and operated by franchisee Reprico.

"We're excited to partner with Reprico and bring the Vitamin Shoppe to Panama," said Musab Balbale, director of new business for the Vitamin Shoppe. "Our focus on delighting the customer with knowledge and great service will make us a trusted source for our customers in Panama."

North Bergen, N.J. -- The Vitamin Shoppe announced that it has closed on the previously announced purchase of Super Supplements, a specialty retailer of vitamins, minerals and supplements for approximately $50 million. The acquisition was funded with available cash. 

The transaction was structured as a purchase of Super Supplements' assets by a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Vitamin Shoppe. Super Supplements is headquartered in Seattle, Washington and operates 31 stores in the Pacific Northwest.
 

Toronto -- Vitapath, a subsidiary of U.S.-based Vitamin Shoppe, has opened its first two Canadian stores in the greater Toronto area in Newmarket and Leaside. The company expects to expand its retail stores under the Vitapath banner across Canada, with additional locations expected to open later in 2013.

North Bergen, N.J. -- Vitamin Shoppe Inc. reported Tuesday that net income for the third quarter leaped 36.8% to $16.3 million, from $11.9 million last year.

Revenue rose 14.4% to $239 million, missing Wall Street’s expectations of $241.8 million in revenue. Same-store sales surged 9.6%, marking the company’s 28th consecutive quarter of positive comps.

For the current year, Vitamin Shoppe said it expects to open 52 new stores and, for fiscal 2013, the preliminary forecast is to open 57 new stores.

Minneapolis – Caribou Coffee Co. said Monday that Leigh Anne Snider is joining the company as its senior VP retail operations, effective immediately.

Snider is charged – together with CEO Mike Tattersfield – driving the coffee company’s overall domestic day-to-day operating activities, including building consistent customer service procedures, driving revenue and effectively managing financials.

Sleep Number takes shopping for mattresses and bedding accessories to a new level with its updated store design. The new prototype, which was designed by JGA, Southfield, Mich., replaces the traditional—and bland—sea of mattresses with a modern and interactive environment that elevates the customer journey and positions the product as hero. Sleep Number debuted the new design in Oakbrook Promenade, Oakbrook, Ill., and it has since been rolled out to 74 locations nationwide.

Bloomfield Hills, Mich.-based Taubman Centers has unveiled a comprehensive holiday program for its Mall at Short Hills, in Short Hills, N.J.

From now through the end of the 2011 holiday season, the mall – which features Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue and 160 retailers – is showcasing the season with such offerings as an Ice Palace, a free, multi-sensory exhibit with falling snow, interactive elements, footage of arctic animals and landscapes, an Ice Princess and a visit to Santa Claus.