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American Eagle Spent Big on Logistics. How Retail Is Changing.

Investors got a jolt Wednesday when American Eagle Outfitters announced the acquisition of Quiet Logistics, an operator of automated distribution centers near city centers, for $350 million. Quiet Logistics wasn’t even American Eagle’s first logistics buy: The retailer bought AirTerra, which focuses on middle-mile logistics, earlier in 2021. Quiet’s business enables American Eagle (ticker: AEO) and Quiet’s other customers to better manage store inventory and e-commerce fulfillment, both critical to retail success.