Supply Chain & Merchandising

Designer clothing and accessories retailer Rent the Runway’s business is dependent on an advanced reverse logistics and transportation network, which is why the company just hired a leading logistic executive from an online competitor.

New York-based Rent the Runway named Chris Halkyard its first ever chief logistics officer to oversee the company’s just-in-time reverse logistics and vertically integrated operating systems.

Costa Mesa, Calif. — Anna's Linens Inc. announced it filed for  Chapter 11 bankruptcy court protection on June 14. The retailer said it is working to negotiate a sale to DW Partners, a multi-strategy fund manager with $6 billion in assets.

The asset management firm would become “the stalking horse” bidder, and make the initial bid in a bankruptcy auction sale.

On the heels of opening its 12,000th store, Dollar General has named five executives to key leadership positions within its merchandising and supply chain organizations.

The company announced internal promotions in both its merchandising and global supply chain functions as the company enhances its management team. The following promotions are effective immediately:

Efforts to transform the customer experience and optimize e-commerce capabilities at Toys”R”Us are getting a boost in Europe with a new distribution center.

The retailer says it has completed a new distribution center in Saint-Fargeau-Ponthierry, France, to support the company's rapidly expanding e-commerce business throughout the country and in select sections of Europe.

Aliso Viejo, Calif. — Johnny Rockets plans to open 25 new domestic stores during 2015 and 100 new domestic stores by 2017 via franchise expansion.

The casual dining chain is targeting the following U.S. cities for franchise growth in its Johnny Rockets, Johnny Rockets Express and Johnny Rockets Route 66 banners: Tucson, Arizona; Houston, Bridgewater, New Jersey., Gainesville, Florida; and Bakersfield and Fresno, California.

Wayne, N.J. — Toys ‘R Us Inc. has opened a new distribution center in Saint-Fargeau-Ponthierry, France to support the company's expanding e-commerce business throughout France and in select sections of Europe. The 550,000-sq.-ft. facility will service retail distribution to the country's 48 store locations and e-commerce operations throughout France.

Always on the hunt for quicker and less costly deliveries, Amazon is considering paying ordinary people (as opposed to shippers such as FedEx or UPS) to deliver packages as part of a crowdsourced delivery program, according to The Wall Street Journal. They would drop off the packages to customers on the way to their own destinations.

The service is referred to internally as "On My Way," the report said, and no other details are available. The report also noted that the plan may not move forward. 

Fast growing grocery delivery service Instacart is adding a value-oriented chain to its network of grocery stores.

The company announced it is teaming up with Smart & Final to allow customers in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area to choose from virtually any items carried at their local Smart & Final store and have them delivered in as little as one hour.

Prices on Instacart will match Smart & Final's everyday low in-store prices, excluding special offers.