Strategy

J.C. Penney Company has added a former senior advisor to the director of the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA), to its board of directors.   Debora Plunkett is joining the Penney board. Possessing extensive experience in cybersecurity, information assurance and innovation in information security, Plunkett has a deep understanding of the data-driven and interconnected world of today, the retailer said.  

Equity One CEO David Lukes has accepted the chief executive’s position at DDR Corp., it has been announced in a press release from DDR. Equity One was acquired by Regency Centers in November to form the largest REIT focused on shopping center development.   Two of Luke’s lieutenants at Equity One will join him in leading the Beachwood, Ohio-based company. COO Michael Makinen and CFO Matthew Ostrower will perform the same roles at DDR.  

Costco Wholesale Corp.’s second quarter profit took a hit amid higher costs. And for the first time since 2011, the retailer is raising the cost of entry into its stores.   As of June 1, Costco’s annual fee for individual and business members will increase by $5.00, to $60. The executive membership fee will go up $10, to $120.    Costco’s net income for the quarter, ended Feb. 12, fell 5.7% to $515 million, or $1.17 per share, below Wall Street expectations.  

CVS Health on Thursday appointed 26-year company veteran Jonathan C. Roberts executive to the new position of executive VP and COO.     As COO, Roberts, who currently serves as president of CVS Caremark, the company's pharmacy benefit management business, will have responsibility for consolidating operational oversight across CVS Health's unique suite of assets.     

The Kroger Co. has broken its impressive record of 52 consecutive quarters of same-store sales growth.    The supermarket giant on Thursday posted an unexpected decline in fourth-quarter same-store sales on Thursday amid ongoing food price deflation and increased competition.   Kroger’s net income fell to $506 million, or 53 cents per share, for the quarter ended Jan. 28, in line with estimates, and down from $559 million, or 57 cents per share, a year earlier.   

Don’t blame it on the technology.   In a blog post on its site, Amazon explained the reason why Amazon Web Services suffered a four-hour outage on Tuesday, one that caused significant problems at numerous Internet sites, including those operated by retailers.   

A store designed by women and for women. That’s Sport Chek Women, which made its debut on Thursday at CF Chinook Centre, in Calgary.  

Ahold Delhaize’s Food Lion and Hannaford U.S. supermarkets had both strong fiscal fourth quarters and for fiscal 2016, the company stated in an earnings report. Volume growth was particularly strong, more than offsetting the impact of inflation on sales.   Underlying operating margins improved, driven by the “Easy, Fresh & Affordable” strategic initiative and synergies, said Ahold Delhaize.  

Hilton Hotels will break ground later this month on a new Tru by Hilton location at Streets of St. Charles, a Cullinan-owned, mixed-use property in the historic Mississippi River town north of St. Louis.   “Since its inception, Streets of St. Charles has been envisioned and developed around the idea of creating a community where there is something for everyone and all would feel welcome to gather and share experiences,” said Cullinan VP and Director of Leasing Kathleen Brill.  

A month after revealing excessive digital orders caused in-store congestion and canceled orders, Starbucks has come up with a solution.