Strategy

In a move to spur its digital transformation, Toys “R” Us has appointed Amit Poddar to head up its digital engineering team.   Poddar is joining the toy retailer as senior VP, chief software architect. The addition is the latest strategic move within the company’s massive digital transformation, a project that is focused on integrating technology into every part of the business, and creating a more customer-centric operation.   

Dollar General is working out details to construct a $91 million distribution center in Orange County, New York.   The chain is eyeing the creation of a 750,000-square-foot distribution hub on a 100-acre site in the town of Florida, N.Y., the Albany Business Review reported.      The building would supply merchandise to 1,000 stores in the Northeast, and could bring more than 500 jobs to the Albany, N.Y., region over the next five years, according to the report.   

Lumber Liquidators has not had much luck getting its top executives to stick around as of late.   The company's chief compliance officer, Ray Cotton, quietly resigned in May of 2015.   Then, in November, it elected John Presley as chief executive -- the second time that year it had to change CEOs.  

Consumer electronics and appliance retailer Hhgregg came up short in its second quarter.    It also exited the Wisconsin market.     The company reported a loss of $18.4 million for the quarter ended Sept. 30, with a loss of 66 cents per share. Losses, adjusted for non-recurring costs and asset impairment costs, came to 51 cents per share. The results fell short of Wall Street expectations.  

Toys “R” Us is looking to shake up its store experience.   The retailer has opened a new “experience-driven” prototype in Santa Ana, California, near South Coast Plaza, The Orange County Register reported.      

In the summer of 2016, Pokémon Go was everywhere. And as players traversed the globe in search of the game’s titular critters, they were also wandering into new legal territory. Although the craze now appears to have subsided, the game’s sudden popularity raised intriguing legal questions that will inevitably affect the future of mobile applications and their relationship to retail businesses.  

When retail consisted mainly of brick and mortar stores, the role of the chief merchandising officer (CMO) focused almost exclusively on selecting merchandise, designing display strategies and planograms and driving category performance. This role was typically held by people who rose into the role as buyers. That’s because buyers first and foremost excel at spotting the next hottest trend while also having a keen eye on the dollars and cents side of the business.