Supply Chain & Merchandising

Kurt Salmon, a global management consulting firm, has appointed Brian Ehrig partner in its Retail and Consumer Products Group.

Ehrig has spent the last 16 years creating new operational strategies and product offerings for retail and CPG companies, as well as leading transformation projects, including those for new market entrances and involving new retail concepts. 

Seattle –- Amazon.com will start offering daily Black Friday deals on Saturday, Nov. 1. Amazon will also start offering two Deals of the Day every day through Monday, Dec. 22.  

Bentonville, Ark. -- Walmart is upping the ante on holiday shopping. The chain announced that, starting Saturday, Nov. 1, it will reduce prices on more than 20,000 items. Walmart is also launching its holiday promotions on the first weekend in November to get a jump on what is expected to be a highly competitive selling season.  

Arlington, Va. -- The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) and a group of merchant associations have sent a letter on the state of cybersecurity in the U.S. and how the payments system works in a letter to the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) and the National Association of Federal Credit Unions (NAFCU). The letter dispels what the merchant groups say are many misconceptions the credit unions have been driving regarding recent cyberattacks and the response by retailers and financial institutions. 

Consumer electronics retailer Adorama is the latest company to join with Google Express to offer same day delivery in Manhattan.

Customers can now have their purchases of computers, tablets, smartphones, cameras, even TVs and home theaters, delivered right to their door on the same day they order. Google Express is currently offering a three-month free trial on eligible orders over $15 for new members or use the service for $4.99 per order on eligible orders over $15. 

Seattle -– Starbucks Corp. is planning to launch a coffee delivery service in select U.S cities in 2015, the company said during its quarterly investors’ conference call on Oct. 30. The new service will be available to loyalty program members using the chain’s new mobile app.    Starbucks gave few specific details about the service, but the new app, allowing users to order and pay for items, will launch in Portland in December and in other U.S. markets in 2015. 

By John Bible, Oracle   

Off price retailer Tuesday Morning enjoyed an 11.3% surge in its first quarter same store sales as it benefitted from the introduction of new and expanded merchandise categories.