Strategy

Corporate governance is a familiar topic, especially to Walmart and its suppliers, but the concept of supply chain governance is less well understood.

A global leader in the space, MetricStream, aims to change that. In a nutshell, the frim explains that supply chain governance is about helping organizations streamline and manage their supplier quality and performance while also identifying, mitigating and managing supplier risks for key procurement and manufacturing process.

Suffern, N.Y. -- Ascena Retail Group Inc. said Thursday it is planning a $34 million expansion that will add new equipment, systems and about 40,000 sq. ft. of space to its Greencastle, Ind., distribution facility.

The apparel retailer said that the objective is to turn its Greencastle facility into a primary e-commerce distribution site. The facility is located about 40 miles west of Indianapolis and was part of Ascena’s acquisition of Charming Shoppes Inc.

SIDNEY, Neb. — Cabela’s Inc. will open a Cabela’s Outpost Store in Kalispell, Mont., joining the outdoor retailer’s single full-line Billings store in the state.

Construction on the 42,000-sq.-ft. location is scheduled to begin in spring 2013 and Cabela’s said it expects to open the store in fall 2013.

Dodgeville, Wis. -- A Wednesday report by the Wisconsin State Journal said that Lands End plans to cut nearly 200 jobs in its headquarters town of Dodgeville, Wis., by the end of January.

Blaming growth of its online business at the expense of bricks-and-mortar stores, Lands End said it is culling its call center workforce by 29% and streamlining other operations. Fifty of the eliminated positions are corporate headquarters jobs and 25 are from the call center. All cuts were made Wednesday.

Hong Kong -- Esprit Holdings Ltd. reported Wednesday that net income of the fiscal year ended June 30 surged to $112.6 million, compared with $10.2 million the year before, boosted by one-time writeoffs for store closures.

Sales dropped 11% to $3.89 billion from $4.35 billion.

Columbia, S.C. -- Edens announced that Joyce Vonada has joined the company as chief information officer and managing director, charged with establishing a team positioned to deliver innovative technology solutions that empower Edens' employees, enrich customers' shopping experiences and create a connection between their centers, retailers and communities.

Brentwood, Tenn. -- Tractor Supply Co. said Thursday that, as part of its planned management succession, current president and COO Gregory Sandfort will assume the role of president and CEO, effective Jan. 1. He will also be appointed to the board of directors at that time.

Current chairman and CEO James Wright will be appointed executive chairman of the board with a one-year term.

Prior to his tenure at Tractor Supply, Sandfort was president and COO of Michaels Stores.

WASHINGTON — Jelly Belly president and COO Bob Simpson will take over the National Confectioners Association's executive board as chairman.

NCA's publication, Candy & Snack Today said Simpson replaces Mitchell Goetze as the chairman of the executive board. Blommer Chocolate Co. president Peter Blommer was appointed to serve as vice chairman, and Goetze, who is president and COO of Goetze's Candy Co., becomes ex-officio chairman.