Supply Chain & Merchandising

Lakeland, Fla. -- Publix Super Market Inc.’s net earnings in the fourth quarter rose 7.4% to $422 million, compared to $392.8 million in the year-ago period.

Sales in the quarter, ended Dec. 28, 2013, rose 5.3% to $7.4 billion, from $7 billion last year.

“I’m pleased our operating performance resulted in another increase in our stock price,” said Publix CEO Ed Crenshaw. “Our associates— the owners of Publix — deserve the credit for this achievement.”

Cincinnati - Intelligrated is introducing fulfillment execution systems, a new software model from its subsidiary company, Knighted Fulfillment execution systems optimize fulfillment in real time.

Boston -- Online retailer Wayfair has added 170,000 sq. ft. to its lease with Simon Property Group at The Offices at Copley Place in Boston's Back Bay neighborhood. In anticipation of a June 2014 relocation, the additional space brings Wayfair's new office space to a total footprint of 275,000 sq. ft.

Lowe's has named Michael A. Jones as the company's chief customer officer, effective April 30. Jones currently serves as Lowe's chief merchandising officer, overseeing the full merchandise offering for all Lowe's U.S. stores and Lowes.com, as well as all global sourcing activities.  

Jones will succeed Gregory M. Bridgeford, who plans to retire after 32 years with the company.

In his new role, Jones will be responsible for overseeing customer experience design, merchandising, marketing and communications and digital interfaces.

Sport Chek has opened a digitally savvy flagship in the largest shopping mall in North America: West Edmonton Mall, Edmonton, Alberta (Canada). The sporting goods retailer has woven interactive technology and digital installations throughout the 80,000-sq.-ft., two-level space, which is designed to offer an enhanced, personalized shopping experience that connects consumers to the sports they are passionate about.

A 19% fourth-quarter same-store sales decline and a steep decline in profitability prompted RadioShack to announce the closure of 1,100 stores while CEO Joseph Magnacca maintained the retailer’s brand equity remains strong and a profitability plan is in place.

North Plainfield, N.J. — Levin Management has promoted Jake Frantzman to senior leasing representative. Responsible for more than 1.6 million sq. ft. of gross leasable area throughout Levin’s extensive management and leasing portfolio, Frantzman handles leasing for Somerset Shopping Center in Bridgewater, N.J., Paramus Place in Paramus, N.J. and Stafford Park Shopping Center in Manahawkin, N.J. He also serves as leasing agent for the retail component of Edgewater Harbor, a mixed-use waterfront redevelopment in Edgewater, N.J.

The nation’s leading home improvement retailer is no stranger to e-commerce, but its efforts to offer a more robust omnichannel experience took a major step forward recently with the opening of the company’s first direct fulfillment center.