Supply Chain & Merchandising

Sam’s Club worked with SquareTrade, a leading protection plan provider, to launch a new program that expands members’ technology and electronics services and support, and helps reduce the cost of owning the latest technology.

From smartphones and tablets to cameras and televisions, Sam’s Club membership now includes exclusive warranty services available in clubs and at SamsClub.com that aim to simplify the technology purchasing, protection and upgrade experience.

City of Commerce, Calif. – 99 Cents Only Stores LLC reported a widening net loss in an abbreviated 10-month fiscal 2014 which was shortened from the Saturday closest to the end of March to the Friday closest to the end of January. Net loss grew to $12.48 million from $8.9 million.

Total net sales were $1.53 billion, down 8% from $1.66 billion. Same-store sales rose 3.7%.

Montreal -- Dollarama Inc. has named Johanne Choinière as COO, effective May 12. In this role, Choinière will be responsible for overseeing retail store operations as well as logistics, distribution and supply chain management.

Since 1999, Choinière was employed at Metro Inc., where she held increasingly senior positions across the organization, including senior VP merchandising for Metro Ontario and, most recently, senior VP of Metro's Ontario Division.

Pittsburgh – Dick’s Sporting Goods Inc. opens three new stores on April 25. The stores are located in Lawton, Okla., Alabaster, Ala., and Tampa. Fla.

The Lawton store will be located at Lawton Town Center, while the Alabaster store will be located at Colonial Promenade Alabaster and the Tampa store will be located at Westshore Plaza. As of April 25, Dick’s will operate 566 stores in the U.S., including 11 in Alabama, 27 in Florida and eight in Oklahoma.

Dollarama has appointed Johanne Choinière as chief operating officer, effective May 12. Choinière will be responsible for overseeing retail store operations as well as logistics, distribution and supply chain management.

"I am pleased to welcome Johanne to the Dollarama team. A seasoned operator with an excellent track record and strong leadership qualities, she is an ideal candidate to help support and drive our continued growth and prosperity," said chairman and CEO Larry Rossy.

Phoenix — Leslie’s Poolmart has announced plans to open 22 retail locations across the country on April 11. The new stores will open in these cities:

• Gilbert and Tucson, Ariz.
• Anaheim, Corona, Costa Mesa, Menifee, Riverside and Sylmar, Calif.
• Bradenton, Clearwater and Punta Gorda, Fla.
• Marietta and Snellville, Ga.
• Mishawaka, Ind.
• Houma and Lake Charles, La.
• Mooresville, N.C.
• Miamisburg, Ohio
• Lancaster, Pa.

A few months ago, Amazon.com made a disruptive splash in the world of home delivery with the announcement of its drone project. The new Amazon Dash mobile ordering device for AmazonFresh customers may not be as attention-grabbing as unmanned aircraft bringing goods to your door, but its potential to disrupt how consumers select and purchase items is much greater.

Levi Strauss & Co. has named former Walmart executive Marc Rosen as EVP and president of global e-commerce, effective May 5. Rosen will report to president and CEO Chip Bergh.