OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

Franklin, Tenn. – Mobile POS technology is growing in popularity among retailers, particularly in the enterprise space, according to the new Mobile POS Software Market Share report from global research and advisory firm IHL.

Bentonville, Ark. – Walmart is expanding its role in health care. The retail giant is teaming up with DirectHealth.com, an online health insurance comparison site and agency, to set up counters in its stores where shoppers can speak with licensed agents about available health insurance options. Walmart’s expanding role in health care comes as drug store chains, including Walgreens and CVS, continue to beef up their own healthcare services.

Framingham, Mass. -- Staples has been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for the 11th straight year.

The annual Dow Jones Sustainability Indices follows a best-in-class approach, including companies across all industries that outperform their peers in numerous sustainability metrics.

New York -- Associated Foods Stores president Robert Sigel announced that Zulema Wiscovitch has joined the company as executive VP and chief administrative officer.

Elmsford, N.Y. - Party City has promoted Gregg A. Melnick to the position of president of Party City Holdings, effective immediately. Party City Holdings is the parent company of the Party City Retail Group and Amscan Inc., among other entities.  

Most recently, Melnick was the president of the Party City Retail Group. Melnick will partner with all of the key department heads across both the retail and wholesale divisions to provide the leadership to strengthen the brands and create opportunities for greater collaboration.

Toano, Va. -- Lumber Liquidators has launched a new section of its website detailing the company's sustainability efforts. Highlights include a DNA-testing program to identify wood species and origins, as well as audits of high-risk wood species.

In addition, Lumber Liquidators offers on-site sustainability training in international locations, online and in seminars, and is also increasing its North American sourcing.

New York -- The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to consider whether a Muslim woman who was denied a job at an Abercrombie & Fitch Co. store because she wears a head scarf was required to specifically request a religious accommodation at the time of her job interview.

The court agreed to hear an appeal filed in the case by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the federal agency that sued the retailer on behalf of Samantha Elauf, who was denied a sales job at an Abercrombie Kids store in Tulsa, Oklahoma, back in 2008.

New York – Aeropostale Inc. plans to launch the Aeropostale and P.S. from Aeropostale brands in Chile through a licensing agreement with Sociedad Comercial Grupo Yes S.p.A. ("Grupo Yes").

Aeropostale's expansion plans in Chile include the opening of standalone stores, department stores and multi-brand stores in select locations across Chile beginning in spring 2015. The Company's first Aeropostale store is scheduled to open in Parque Arauco in Santiago in October. P.S. from Aeropostale stores are expected to open beginning in early 2015.