Retail

In a study of the returns and refunds performance of the 25 largest online retailers, StellaService found that the majority of retailers evaluated aren’t meeting consumer expectations.

StellaService analysts ordered the same product from each retailer to be delivered to the three separate regions of East, West and Midwest. They then returned the product, tracking metrics such as the presence of a prepaid, adhesive return label, total time to receive a return authorization and refund speed. The average refund speed of was 10.7 days.

Abercrombie & Fitch has promoted Jonathan E. Ramsden, currently the company's EVP and CFO, to the position of COO, a new role at the company. Ramsden will continue to serve as CFO, in addition to his COO role, until a new CFO is appointed.

Pet360, a leading network of digital resources for pet owners, has appointed Jon Roska as VP of strategic partner development.

In this role, Roska will oversee the development and execution of strategic programs that help brands connect with pet owners in new ways. Roska founded the company's longest-standing Web property — PetFoodDirect.com — in 1997 and most recently served as Pet360's VP of merchandising.

Tuesday Morning is starting to see the results of its turnaround strategy, which involved the company exiting a number of non-core categories, such as women’s apparel and footwear.

In the second quarter of fiscal 2014, comparable sales in ongoing core categories increased 7% and were led by exceptional strength in furniture, up 57%; sheets and linens, up 23%; and home décor, up 20%.   

Anna’s Linens has elevated company president Scott Gladstone to CEO. The home furnishings and home décor retailer was founded by Alan Gladstone, and now has more than 300 stores throughout 19 states.

“Scott has spent the last eight years at Anna’s bringing innovation and business improvements to many different areas of the company. I am proud of what we have done together and have absolute confidence that he is the person who can lead us in writing the next chapter of Anna’s history,” said Alan Gladstone.

As part of its digital strategy, Hudson’s Bay Company has created HBC Digital and appointed Michael Burgess as the newly created group’s president. Burgess will report to the office of the chairman.

HBC Digital will drive the digital commerce and marketing strategy and execution across all channels, in partnership with each of the company’s business units: Saks Fifth Avenue, Lord & Taylor, Hudson’s Bay and HBC Outlets.

Gary Maxwell has joined the Supply Chain Management Research Center as an executive in residence.

Maxwell retired from Walmart last year after serving as SVP of the global business process team. He held a variety of senior supply chain and logistics roles at Walmart after joining the company in 1999 from the now defunct regional discount chain Caldor. Since his retirement, Maxwell launched Maxwell Value Chain, to provide replenishment and supply chain services to retail suppliers.

Walmart Supercenters in California benefit communities by supporting additional job creation, small business growth and more robust sales tax revenues, according to a new economic impact report.

The study was conducted by economist Lon Hatamiya of the Hatamiya Group and the results were announced by Walmart, which is sure to cause opponents of the company to question the validity of the results. That said, key findings of the study show the following: