Supply Chain & Merchandising

Dollar Tree has appointed former Tractor Supply executive Randy Guiler as VP of investor relations. Guiler succeeds Timothy Reid, who is retiring.

New York - Ugam, a provider of managed analytics technology, is releasing a Brand Intelligence solution that enables monitoring of online channel prices and enforcement of MAP (minimum advertised price) compliance, ensuring that all partners sell their products at uniform prices.

General Mills has inaugurated its first innovation, technology and quality center in China — part of its efforts to drive greater innovation and investment in one of its largest growth markets.  

By Marie Jackson, CMO of Retail Solutions Inc.

Atlanta – Aaron’s Inc. on Tuesday said it plans to close 44 underperforming stores in the third quarter of fiscal 2014 and continue other cost-reduction initiatives in response to disappointing core business performance. The electronics, furniture and appliances rentals retailer also revised its earnings guidance downward for the second quarter.

The company praised the performance of its recently purchased Progressive Finance unit.

Leading footwear manufacturer and retailer Wolverine World Wide plans to close 140 stores in the next 18 months as part of a strategic realignment plan focused on strengthening omnichannel capabilities.

Most of the stores to be closed operate under the company’s Stride Rite banner. Sixty of the units will close by year end with the remainder to close next year, the company said. The disclosure was made in conjunction with the release of solid financial results for the company’s second quarter ended July 14.

Conshohocken, Pa. -- Ikea is submitting plans to Clark County, Nevada, for a Las Vegas-area store that would increase the Swedish retailer’s presence in the western United States.

The application marks the beginning of an approval process that could lead to the store’s opening as early as summer 2016.

First Data Corporation reported solid June spending growth in a number of sectors in its First Data SpendTrend analysis for May 31, 2014 through June 30, 2014, compared to June 1, 2013 through July 1, 2013.

SpendTrend tracks same-store point-of-sale data by credit, signature debit, PIN debit, EBT, closed-loop prepaid cards and checks from nearly 4 million merchant locations serviced by First Data.