OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

Cupertino, Calif. -- Apple Inc. has hired a much-admired fashion industry veteran to run its retail stores. The company announced Tuesday that Angela Ahrendts, CEO of British luxury giant Burberry Group Plc, has been appointed to the newly created position of senior VP of retail and online stores. She will join Apple in the spring from Burberry.

At Apple Ahrendts, 53, will become a member of the executive team and report directly to CEO Tim Cook. She will be the first woman on Apple’s 10-member executive team.

New York – In a sign of just how competitive the upcoming holiday season is expected to be, Macy’s said that most of its stores will open at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving evening. It’s the first time in its history that the company will be open for business on the holiday.

Columbus, Ohio -- DSW Inc. is opening of a new store in Greenville, S.C. on October 17. As of May 18, 2013, DSW operates 377 stores in 42 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, as well as 348 leased departments for other retailers in the U.S. under the Affiliated Business Group.

Broomfield, Colo. -- Famous Brands International, the parent company of TCBY Yogurt and Mrs. Fields Cookies, has appointed David Bloom to the position of senior VP of strategic development, effective immediately. Bloom has been serving as the chief development officer for Hurricane Grill & Wings since June 2012.

Famous Brands also announced the following promotions: Dustin Finkel to VP of marketing; Belinda Oakley to VP of operations; and Cassie Alvey to VP of Mrs. Fields gifting.

New York -- Tractor Supply CEO Greg Sandfort outlined the company's online strategy, borrowing phrases from other multichannel retailers.

“We have to have our site geared to giving customers the options for any way they like to engage with us,” Sandfort said during the recent Goldman Sachs investor conference.

West Chester, Pa. - Dr. Ulrich Flatten will retire as CEO, QVC Germany at the end of the year, after 12 years of service to the company. Under his leadership, Germany has developed into QVC's largest European business and its second largest business outside of the United States.

Dayton, Ohio -- Retail design and brand strategy firm Interbrand Design Forum has added nine new associates as business continues to grow with key retail and manufacturing  clients.
 
Allen McCormick has been named executive director, overseeing relationships with key client partners. Becky Lau was hired as senior consultant, strategy and analytics. Aaron Stancik is also new to the Strategy & Analytics group where he will serve as a senior consultant working on projects for Michael Hill and FedEx.

New York – Halston is launching its digital flagship store in more than 80 countries today, including the U.S., and Canada. The vertical e-commerce site will feature Halston Heritage apparel and accessories. The brand is also expanding its physical presence, with plans to expand to more than 20 locations by yearend.