Supply Chain & Merchandising

Kroger showed its tendency to promote longtime executives to key senior leadership roles again with the naming of a 32 year veteran to serve as president of its 138 store Smith’s division based in Salt Lake City.

Kenny Kimball was elevated to the role of president of Smith’s after previously serving as VP of operations. Kimball joined Smith’s in 1984 as a courtesy clerk and succeeds Jay Cummins who announced his retirement in February. Kimball assumes his new responsibilities April 30.

Bed Bath & Beyond has entered a new phase in its growth trajectory, becoming more aggressive in returning cash to shareholders and initiating a quarterly dividend as opposed to fueling top-line growth with rapid store expansion.

Aldi is expanding its fledgling footprint in Southern California.

On Thursday, April 21, the grocer will open six stores in Los Angeles County, three in Orange County and one store in San Bernardino County.

The April openings are part of Aldi’s plan to open approximately 45 stores in Southern California by the end of 2016, eight of which opened last month.

Currently, Aldi operates nearly 1,500 U.S. stores in 33 states.

Kroger showed its tendency to promote longtime executives to key senior leadership roles again with the naming of a 32 year veteran to serve as president of its 138 store Smith’s division based in Salt Lake City.
 
Kenny Kimball was elevated to the role of president of Smith’s after previously serving as VP of operations. Kimball joined Smith’s in 1984 as a courtesy clerk and succeeds Jay Cummins who announced his retirement in February. Kimball assumes his new responsibilities April 30.
 

Best Buy Co. Inc. is expanding a test of same-day delivery service from San Francisco to 13 major metro markets across the U.S.

The electronics chain started the pilot in San Francisco last fall and expanded it to New York early in 2016. It has now added Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Philadelphia, Seattle and Washington, D.C.

L Brands' Victoria’s Secret division had a record year in 2015, which is why chairman and CEO Leslie Wexner believes now is the best time to narrow the brand’s focus and simplify the operating model to drive long-term growth.

Pilot Flying J, the largest operator of travel centers in North America, is upgrading the indoor and outdoor lighting at select locations.

The company has entered into an agreement with Cree for an LED retrofit of interior and exterior lighting, to include parking lot canopies, downlights and area luminaires for various new and existing travel centers. The program is underway, with retrofits completed at nearly 100 Pilot and Flying J Travel Centers to-date and plans to roll out dozens of new stores annually over the next five years.

Sears Holding Corp. is making a timely expansion to its seamless “Meet With An Expert” service as it looks to engage with shoppers this spring.

Sears has extended its “Meet With An Expert” service introduced last fall to its lawn and garden department. The free service allows online shoppers to schedule in-store appointments with experts in specific product areas.