Supply Chain & Merchandising

After 37 years with Kroger, Robert Williams is stepping down from his role as SVP of operations in May.

Williams has served in his current role since 2007 and oversees seven of Kroger’s supermarket divisions. His successor was not immediately named.

Ankeny, Iowa -- Casey’s General Stores plans to break ground on the company’s second distribution center in November 2014. The facility will be located in Terre Haute, Ind.

Brussels, Belgium -- Delhaize Group has signed an agreement with Tropic Group B.V. to divest all of its 39 Bosnian & Herzegovinian stores. Tropic Group B.V. is an entrepreneurial organization founded by retail executive Bojan Risović.

The transaction is expected to complete in third quarter 2014, subject to regulatory approval and working capital adjustments. Terms were not disclosed. Delhaize originally purchased the stores from Serbian retailer Delta Maxi in 2011.

To survive the long, bumpy ride through the recent recession, many retail logistics executives focused on cost reduction. This necessary objective drove important changes in supply chain strategy, from network right-sizing to innovative warehouse automation and energy-efficiency tactics. A “lean and mean” supply chain model arose, and quickly became vital to survival.

Houston — Fuddruckers has opened its first restaurant in Europe — in Varese, Italy near Milan. The fast casual restaurant is the first of 10 planned by a new franchise partner, Vinum et Alia. Future sites being considered are in Italy, Poland and Switzerland.

The design of the 5,000-sq.-ft., 120-seat restaurant references Fuddruckers’ classic roadhouse origins.

Houston -- The Men's Wearhouse, Inc. has engaged the advisory firm, AlixPartners, to support its integration of Jos. A. Bank Clothiers, Inc. Jos. A. Bank's store banner will remain in place and management will consist of executives from both companies.

The nation’s largest egg producer, Cal-Maine Foods, named Wil Webb to a new role as vp of operations.

Webb will be responsible for the company’s extensive production facilities in Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi and reports to Cal-Maine COO Sherman Miller. Webb has been employed with Cal-Maine Foods since 1997 and most recently served as general manager of the company’s operations in Edwards, Mississippi.

Dallas — Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants will open three new Dickey’s Barbecue Pits this week. On April 2, the chain will open a restaurant in Colorado Springs, Colo., and on April 3, two more restaurants will open, one in Gulfport, Miss., and another in Stockton, Calif.