Supply Chain & Merchandising

Ikea is going big in Memphis. The home furnishings giant plans to install the largest rooftop solar array in the state of Tennessee at its new store in Memphis. The 271,000-sq.-ft. Memphis Ikea is scheduled to open in late fall 2016, and panel installation for the solar energy system will begin this summer.

As a rural lifestyle retailer, Brentwood, Tennessee-based Tractor Supply Co. knows a thing or two about using good old fashioned common sense and initiative to get things done. So when it came time for the 1,530-unit chain to prepare itself for a long-term goal of operating 2,500 stores (at growth of 100-120 locations per year), Tractor Supply took a fundamental approach.

Petco is expanding its store portfolio and distribution center network. In keeping with its 2016 growth plan, which includes 27 new store openings year-to-date, Petco will open a new distribution center on May 11, 2016, in Reno, Nevada. The company will also open a new Unleashed by Petco store in Maryland, and re-open a newly expanded Southern California Petco store in place of a previous Unleashed by Petco locations.

Macy’s on Wednesday reported its fifth consecutive decline in same-store sales, and announced plans to improve its performance, from new product launches to more off-price shops. The nation’s largest department retailer also reduced its sales and earnings guidance for the year. Similar to many retailers, Macy’s is challenged by an overall retail environment marked by sluggish traffic, increased competition and cautious consumers.

It’s a sobering statistic: North American retailers lose $158.5 billion annually to supplier issues. Out of stocks cause 4.1 percent in lost revenue, according to retailwire.com; just as troubling, overstocks result in 3.2 percent in lost revenue for the average retailer. Retailers continue to refine their compliance programs to strike the right balance of inventory and meeting higher consumer service standards.

The nation’s two largest office-supply chains have pulled the plug on their $6.3 billion merger.

The risk associated with a possible security breach claimed the top spot for the first time ever in an annual ranking of the top 25 risk factors by retailers. Security risks shared the top spot with general economic conditions, which have remained tied at the top since 2013.

The Kroger Co. is looking to hire 14,000 associates. The supermarket operator is holding a nationwide hiring event on Saturday, May 14, to fill open jobs across all its store brands. Interested candidates can also apply online at jobs.kroger.com. The openings are for part-time and full-time associates.