Retail

Study: Scalability across channels critical factor in retail growth
King of Prussia, Pa. -- Rigid technology can be a prohibitor in omnichannel growth, especially for mid-market retailers, according to a new study by eBay Enterprise. The report, 2014 Omnichannel Benchmark Study, found that that mid-sized retailers are behind their larger competitors in implementing omnichannel experiences and inflexible technology is the biggest factor in prohibiting retailer maturity and growth.

Other key findings include:
Sears Canada taps IBM for outsourcing; will lay off 1,345 associates
New York -- Sears Canada Inc. has entered into an arrangement with IBM to have the supplier take over the work currently performed at three internal Sears customer contact centers. The outsourcing move will take place over the next nine months and affect 1,345 employees.

Data Breaches

By Mark Bower, VP, Voltage Security
Johnny Rockets opens first restaurant in Brazil

Aliso Viejo, Calif. — John Rockets has opened its first restaurant in Guarulhos, Brazil, a suburb of Sao Paulo. It is the brand’s 100th location outside of the United States.

Franchise partners Antonio Augusto Ribeiro de Souza and Nicolli Ciappina de Souza operate the restaurant at Shopping Internacional, a large retail center with 2.4 million visitors per month. The partners have committed to opening 29 additional restaurants in Brazil over the next 10 years.
Lifetime Brands acquires Kitchen Craft

Lifetime Brands, manufacturers of brands such as Farberware, KitchenAid and Guy Fieri, has acquired Thomas Plant (Birmingham) Limited.
PizzaRev adds four franchisee groups

Los Angeles — PizzaRev has signed agreements with four franchisee groups covering territory in five states. The deals will lead to the opening of new units in San Diego and Orange counties in California plus Utah, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota. Here are brief profiles of each group:
Jewel-Osco president Emmons to exit

Jewel-Osco president William Emmons is retiring less than a year after taking the helm at the grocery chain, which is now part of New Albertsons Inc., according to a Chicago Tribune report.
eBay Enterprise debuts ship-from-store solution

King of Prussia, Pa. -- eBay Enterprise has launched a ship-from-store solution, which the company calls a game-changing initiative that retailers can deploy within 99 days to effectively leverage their physical store inventories while gaining advantages in margin and shipping cost.
Nordstrom to open at Toronto Eaton Centre

Seattle -- Nordstrom plans to open a full-line store in the heart of downtown Toronto, at Toronto Eaton Centre.

Construction of the approximately 213,000-sq.-ft., three-level store is set to begin in March 2014, with the store opening slated for fall 2016. Toronto Eaton Centre is owned and managed by The Cadillac Fairview Corp. Ltd.
J.C. Penney to close 33 stores by May

Dallas -- J. C. Penney Company announced that as part of its turnaround efforts it will close 33 underperforming stores across the country. The shutterings, which will result in the elimination of about 2,000 positions, are expected to result in an annual cost savings of approximately $65 million, beginning in 2014.

Study: Scalability across channels critical factor in retail growth

Sears Canada taps IBM for outsourcing; will lay off 1,345 associates

Data Breaches

Johnny Rockets opens first restaurant in Brazil

Lifetime Brands acquires Kitchen Craft

PizzaRev adds four franchisee groups

Jewel-Osco president Emmons to exit

eBay Enterprise debuts ship-from-store solution

Nordstrom to open at Toronto Eaton Centre

J.C. Penney to close 33 stores by May