Strategy

The increasingly competitive yoga apparel category just got a little more crowded. Sports Authority has launched an exclusive yoga line called Bloom, which it says it created specifically for women who enjoy being connected to the outdoors.

Eden Prairie, Minn. - ShopHQ, a multichannel electronic retailer, has selected Manhattan’s Warehouse Management System (WMS) to help the company increase throughput and capacity of its distribution and fulfillment operations. The software deployment is part of an expansion of the company’s Bowling Green, Kentucky-based distribution center, which will more than double in size from 260,000 sq. ft. to 600,000 sq. ft. by the end of 2015.

Atlanta - S. Truett Cathy, founder and chairman emeritus of Chick-fil-A Inc., died at the age of 93 on Sept. 8.

Cathy got his start in 1946, when he opened a diner in a suburb of Atlanta. He invented the Chick-fil-A sandwich in 1964 and opened the company's first restaurant in Atlanta in 1967. Under his leadership, the quick-serve eatery grew into one of the nation’s largest family-owned companies, with annual sales of $5 billion in 2013. Currently, there are more than 1,800 Chick-fil-A restaurants operating in 40 states and Washington, D.C.

Secaucus, N.J. -- The Children's Place announced the appointment of Robert Vill as group VP, finance, effective Sept. 8. He will report to Michael Scarpa, COO and CFO.

The Children's Place has appointed Robert Vill as group VP of finance. He will report to Michael Scarpa, chief operating officer and CFO.

"Bob brings to The Children's Place a wealth of financial expertise in the areas of corporate finance, treasury and investor relations," Scarpa said. "I am very pleased to welcome him to our team."

New York -- Panera Bread would like its customers to leave their guns at home. The bakery-cafe chain joined a handful of other high-profile retailers, including Starbucks, Chipotle, and Target, to make the request.  

As more retailers cope with data breaches, Virtual Piggy, provider of family and teen payment technology Oink, has added Jordan Harris to its team as risk officer.

Harris will be responsible for ensuring that all areas of the Oink offering are protected against payment fraud and ensure that the solution meets applicable laws and regulations. His focus will include working with management to identify and implement enhancements related to the management and monitoring of risk and fraud related functions.

Oak Brook, Ill. - Dollar Tree has signed a 12,767-sq.-ft. lease at Pelham Manor Shopping Plaza in Pelham, New York, bringing the center to 100% leased for the first time since it opened in 2008. The 228,000-sq.-ft. center caters to the surrounding neighborhoods of Pelham Manor, Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, and the north Bronx.

Acquired in 2013, the center features national retailers such as BJ's Wholesale Club, PetSmart, Michaels and more. Dollar Tree will be located next to Five Guys Burgers and Fries and is expected to open in early November.