Walmart

Walmart plans to improve the customer experience, invest in its grocery business, and put pressure on suppliers to drive down prices, according to a Bloomberg report.

New York – Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is reportedly asking suppliers to cut their product costs and also seeking to expand its grocery business. According to the Wall Street Journal, Wal-Mart is recommending that suppliers forego investing in joint marketing programs with the retailer and use that savings to reduce the price Wal-Mart pays for their goods.
 

New York – Walmart on Wednesday sent out a tweet in which it commended Arkansas Gov. Hutchinson and legislative leaders for reconsidering a law that some people and organizations fear would open the door to discrimination against gays and lesbians. The “religious freedom” measure (HB1228) in Arkansas is similar to the one that has kicked up a firestorm in Indiana. Earlier in the day on Wednesday, Gov, Hutchinson said he wouldn’t sign the bill in its present form and called for changes to be made.

Walmart recognized multimodal logistics provider C.H. Robinson with the retailer’s first-ever award for third party logistics providers.

C.H. Robinson said it received the Third Party Logistical (3PL) Carrier of the Year award for 2014 due to contributions for outstanding service, effective communication and providing solutions and innovations in a changing industry.

Memphis, Tenn. -- Fred's Super Dollar has announced several key management changes, including the appointment of Walgreens veteran Bryan Pugh as chief merchandising and marketing officer.  

In other changes, Craig Barnes has been promoted to executive VP supply chain, global and domestic logistics; and Mike Holligan has been promoted to executive VP store operations.
 

In a break from tradition, Walmart is hosting an investor meeting in New York on April 1 with the new team of top executives who are driving the latest round of changes at the retailer’s U.S. business.

A 90 minutes session scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. EST on April 1 at the New York Stock Exchange will be hosted by Walmart U.S. President and CEO Greg Foran.

Former Walmart executive Gary Maxwell has joined leading demand analytics provider Orchestro as the firm’s chief solutions officer.

Maxwell, a long-time member of Orchestro’s advisory board, retired from Walmart in 2013 after holding a variety of senior supply chain, replenishment and process improvement roles during a 14 year career. Prior to Walmart, Maxwell spent five years in a senior supply chain role with the now defunct Caldor chain.

Putting aside a worse than expected fourth quarter loss, regional discounter Fred’s could be on the cusp of more meaningful growth after assembling a roster of top executive talent under the leadership of CEO Jerry Shore and president Mike Bloom.