Supply Chain & Merchandising

Pier 1 Imports has named a former finance executve of Michaels, Kmart and Sears as its new chief financial officer.

E-commerce infrastructure and cybersecurity initiatives. HVAC equipment upgrades and energy management systems. These days, retail CFOs must allocate capital expenditures to an ever-growing list of components — not all visible to the public but critical to corporate health. And while the role of the retail CFO has broadened considerably in recent years, becoming more strategic and more integral to business decision-making, capex spending remains a top item on their agenda.

“The CFO’s role in prioritizing investments, in what gets done, is still there.

Hudson, Ohio -- Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores announced a key hire in marketing, and a promotion in merchandising.

Jo-Ann has hired Amy Parker as senior VP, marketing & advertising. Most recently, Amy was the chief marketing officer for Pet Supplies Plus and prior, chief marketing officer for the home division at Sears Holdings.

Previously, she was with Michaels, Toys “R” Us, and several other multi-unit chains.

New York -- The off-price segment is on fire, but newcomers to the sector should watch out, warns a report by Moody’s Investors Service.

The U.S. off-price apparel and home products segment continues to grow rapidly as consumers who developed a taste for cheaply priced luxury goods during the recession keep up their hunt for bargains, Moody's Investors Service said in a new report.

Walmart is appealing to suppliers – even those who don’t sell it merchandise – to share their complete product catalog with the company in the name of providing shoppers accurate, up-to-date and comprehensive information.

The goal of a new pilot program according to a blog post on Walmartlabs.com written by global head of content acquisition, Ram Rampalli, is to solve a universal problem by delivering exceptional product content.

It’s no secret that the rise of mobile devices is empowering consumers and altering the way they shop. But mobile isn’t just changing the game for consumers. It’s also empowering chain stores to take advantage of those behavior changes to strengthen customer relationships and distinguish the in-store experience.  

Here are five simple ways that chain stores can take advantage of mobile devices like tablets to enhance and differentiate the in-store experience and drive sales:

Looking for a piece of the growing off-price pie, Kohl's has officially opened its Off Aisle concept in New Jersey.

Kohl’s is testing the off-price waters by opening a discount store in Cherry Hill, N.J., this summer called "Off Aisle by Kohl's." 

Dallas – Executive shuffling continues at off-price retailer Tuesday Morning Corp, which is now searching for a new CFO.

The company announced that Jeffrey N. Boyer, executive VP, chief administrative officer and CFO, has resigned his position effective July 22. Boyer, 57, will assume the role of executive VP and CFO at Pier 1 Imports Inc. on July 27.