Supply Chain & Merchandising

Athletic wear giant Under Armour plans to open some 200 store in 2016, according to The Street. While the brand did not comment, the report said the expansion would likely include a mixture of store types, including outlet locations, “Brand House” stores, (the company’s full-price, experiential format) and in-store shops. [The Street]

Walmart and three of the nation’s largest bottled water suppliers are coming to the aid of Flint, Michigan, residents who lack access to safe drinking water after the municipal water supply became tainted with lead.

Walmart, Coca-Cola, Nestlé and PepsiCo are sending 176 truckloads of water to Flint – roughly 6.5 million bottles – which is an amount estimated to meet the daily needs of more than 10,000 children for the rest of the year.

In the name of creating a more efficient and focused organization, Staples announced several key senior leadership moves while its acquisition of rival Office Depot appears in jeopardy.

Shira Goodman, currently president, North American commercial, has been named president, North American operations with responsibility for Staples’ business-to-business, online and retail operations across the United States and Canada.

The need to provide a seamless customer experience is having a big impact on the types of solutions retailers are trying to implement.

According the new Retail Industry Insight benchmark report conducted by Retail Systems Research for SPS Commerce Inc., e-commerce and stores have switched places as the top growth driver for retail IT purchases. Retailers rank growing e-commerce sales as their top priority (75%) followed by improving the in-store experience (53%).

It looks like the proverbial fat lady has sung for Dov Charney, the founder and ousted CEO of the troubled American Apparel.

On Monday, Judge Brendan L. Shannon of the Bankruptcy Court in Delaware approved a plan backed by a majority of the company’s bondholders. The plan would take American Apparel private and hand nearly full control to its largest lenders.

Troutdale, Ore. -- Time Equities announced the expansion of its Northwest portfolio with the acquisition of Columbia Gorge Premium Outlets, located in Troutdale, Oregon for $28,425,000.

Starbucks Corp. is still hot for tea, but it’s not feeling too warm and cozy about its Teavana "tea bar" format, which debuted in New York City about two years ago. The concept sought to elevate the tea-drinking experience, much the way Starbucks did for coffee, and featured an array of tea-related beverages and food items in a comfortable environment that encouraged people to linger.

PGA Tour Superstore continues to broaden its footprint with its first store in Utah.

The retailer announced it will open a 25,000-sq.-ft. store in Sandy, Utah, in April. The Sandy store, which will feature four state-of-the-art simulators, four practice hitting bays and an expansive putting green measuring more than 750 sq. ft., is the first of five new store locations the company has announced for 2016.