Strategy

J.C. Penney just poached two key executives to maximize the power, reach and integration of its omnichannel efforts.

The department store retailer named Michael Amend, former vice president of online, mobile and omnichannel for Home Depot, to the position of executive vice president of omnichannel effective immediately. He fills a position previously held by Mike Rodgers who left the company. Additionally, Mike Robbins, formerly the senior vice president of global supply chain for Target, will be joining the J.C. Penney as senior vice president of supply chain effective Aug. 10.

Cincinnati - Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s are stepping up their efforts to get online goods delivered to shoppers faster than ever.
The department store company is expanding same-day delivery service to nine additional markets beginning this month. Both Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s are partnering with third-party delivery service Deliv to offer same-day delivery on products purchased online at macys.com, Bloomingdales.com, and on both brands’ mobile-enabled websites.

Sears Holdings keeps finding new ways to generate cash and gain financial flexibility, but selling merchandise is not among them.

Hangzhou, China – Alibaba is launching an omnichannel partnership with one of professional basketball’s biggest stars. Alibaba Holding Group Inc. and Kobe Inc., a newly formed company by NBA player Kobe Bryant, will collaborate with Chinese media company Sina to create a new social media platform.

Yahoo! Inc. is trying to expand its digital content and advertising business by acquiring a fashion website that allow shoppers to put together sets of clothes and accessories, and then buy them.

Plano, Texas -- J.C. Penney nabbed a key executive from Home Depot and also one from Target Corp. as it seeks to maximize the power, reach and integration of its omnichannel efforts.
 
The department store retailer named Michael Amend, former VP of online, mobile and omnichannel for Home Depot, to the position of executive VP of omnichannel effective immediately. He fills a position previously held by Mike Rodgers who left the company.

New York -- Friends of Howard Schultz, the outspoken and politically progressive founder and CEO of Starbucks, are urging him to enter the Democratic race for President, according to a report by Fortune.

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Camp Hill, Pa. -- Ken Martindale, one of the key architects behind Rite Aid's recent growth, on Monday was promoted to the new position of CEO Rite Aid stores.

The move is designed to enable Rite Aid chairman and CEO John Standley to focus on expanding the role the drug store plays in healthcare delivery with its EnvisionRx, RediClinic and Health Dialog divisions.
 
Martindale, 55, will continue to report to Standley and will retain his role as president of Rite Aid.