Supply Chain & Merchandising

New York -- A former chief information officer at Walmart is joining retail technology firm Newgistics.

Gene Wojciechowski has been named CIO of Newgistics, where he will be tasked with providing executive leadership and strategic direction for all of Newgistics’ core technology operations.

A former chief information officer at Walmart is joining retail technology firm Newgistics.

The company has hired Gene Wojciechowski as its chief information officer (CIO). Wojciechowski brings nearly 30 years of experience leading IT organizations at companies including Walmart.com, UPS Freight Services and Staples to his new role, where he’ll be tasked with providing executive leadership and strategic direction for all of Newgistics’ core technology operations.

Scottsdale, Ariz. - Cold Stone Creamery is planning to heat up the ice cream market in the Indian subcontinent. The retailer is entering India and Sri Lanka.

Kahala Brands, the parent company of the Cold Stone Creamery brand, is partnering with Tablez Food Company, part of Lulu Group International LLC, to open 40 stores in India and five stores in Sri Lanka during the next five years. The first store will open by the end of the year at the Lulu Mall in Kochi, India.

Menomonee Falls, Wis. - Kohl’s Corp. has increased the maximum amount of a previously announced cash tender offer for several debt notes coming due between 2017 and 2033 from $60 million to about $737.04 million. The new tender offer is subject to the same terms and conditions made in an original offer to purchase dated June 29, 2015.

Settlement of notes that have been tendered and accepted for purchase by Kohl’s is expected to take place July 17, 2015. The tender offer expires July 27, 2015.
 

With its stock trading at a 52-week low, Sears has made an interesting choice to lead its department store business.

The company says it has found a new executive to develop a strategy for the Sears format that focuses on meeting the needs of the Shop Your Way member.  

New York -- Starbucks Corp. is expanding its already extensive global footprint.

The chain announced it will open its first stores in South Africa next year in a partnership deal with South African management group Taste Holdings. The initial store is scheduled to open in Johannesburg during the first half of 2016.

West Chester, Pa. - QVC will open a state-of-the-art distribution center in Ontario, California. When the new facility begins operation in third quarter 2016, it will serve as a West Coast distribution hub for QVC.

As QVC ramps up operations, the center is expected to employ more than 500 team members by 2018. QVC anticipates hiring approximately 1,000 team members in total by 2020 as the distribution center expands fulfillment to all product categories.

QVC is ramping up its distribution network on the West Coast with a new, state of the art facility in Ontario, Calif.

The multichannel retailer plans to open a West Coast distribution hub there in 2016. As QVC ramps up operations, the center is expected to employ more than 500 team members by 2018. QVC anticipates hiring approximately 1,000 team members in total by 2020 as the distribution center expands fulfillment to all product categories.