Supply Chain & Merchandising

REI has grown to 140 stores in 33 states with a sizable e-commerce operation. Imagine what the company will be able to do now that it has finally named a chief information officer and gotten aggressive about recruiting technology talent.

The national outdoor specialty retailer elevated Julie Averill to the role of CIO after the 25 year technology veteran joined the company last year as senior vice president of information technology. She joined REI from Nordstrom where she served as the department store retailer’s vice president of technology.

Online home furnishings retailer Wayfair is losing less money than before and gaining new customers at a rapid pace.

Boston -- Online home furnishings retailer Wayfair is losing less money than before and gaining new customers at a rapid pace.

The retailer reported a loss of $19.3 million for the second quarter, ended June 30, down from a loss of $28 million, in the year-ago period.
 
Revenue increased to $491.8 million, up 66.4% year over year. Direct retail revenue, consisting of sales generated primarily through the sites of Wayfair’s five brands, increased to $440.3 million, up 80.8% year over year.

New York -- Lowe's is investing in helping its professional customers save time, money and run their businesses more efficiently.

Lost jobs, ugly architecture, picky consumers and stiff competition are among the reasons why Costco may have a tough time achieving success in France, according to a Seattle Times report.

The newspaper says the Washington-based retailer is building its first warehouse in France and envisions opening as many as 15 stores in that nation over the next 10 years. But whether Costco will succeed in attracting the French consumer is an important question.

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San Francisco -- Gap Inc. is still searching for its turnaround.

Gap Inc. issued a second-quarter earnings forecast that was below Wall Street analysts' estimates, with its results impacted by foreign currency fluctuations, West Coast port delays and previously announced store closings in its namesake brand.

Gap reported less-than-expected total sales of $3.9 billion for the second quarter, down 2% from the $3.98 billion the year-ago period.

Hhgregg says it is trying to get ahead of an ever-earlier holiday shopping season by starting to hire seasonal employees now.

The retailer plans to hire more than 550 full-time and part-time in-store sales associates. As the holiday shopping season continues to tiptoe earlier into the calendar year, Hhgregg is looking to have their stores fully staffed and associates trained and ready to greet shoppers getting a jump on the holiday rush.

Bethesda, Md. -- Washington Property Company announced it has acquired Ballenger Creek Plaza, a 75,527-sq.-ft. center located in Frederick, Maryland, for $9.5 million.

“Washington Property Company is excited about expanding its retail portfolio with the acquisition of Ballenger Creek Center,” said WPC president Charles K. Nulsen, III. “We plan to renovate and reposition this neighborhood center in the growing submarket of southwestern Frederick.”