Supply Chain & Merchandising

San Bruno, Calif. -- Walmart on Friday kicked off its online holiday deals, a month earlier than usual, and announced that it is offering free shipping on about 99% of its online items this year for orders over $50. (Last year, only about 15% of its assortment qualified for free shipping). The moves comes as retailers get ready for what is expected to be an extremely competitive season, one marked by intense promotional activity. Retailers are also challenged by this year’s calendar: Thanksgiving falls late, on Nov.

Redlands, Calif. — Start-up Fresh Thyme Farmers Market plans to open 50 new stores across 12 Midwestern states over the next six years. To find the right locations, Fresh Thyme is using Esri technology and data to prioritize markets and rate, rank and compare potential sites based on geographic and demographi9c analyses.

New York -- Neiman Marcus and 3D printing marketplace Shapeways have teamed together to offer a limited holiday collection.

The collection consists of two pieces available in Shapeways’ 3D Printed metal finishes: A monogrammed silver heart pendant necklace that can be customized with initials, and an orb stainless steel sculpture paperweight. Both items are made by Shapeways' 3D Printing and feature its prin.

Redwood Shores, Calif. – Toms — the company that gives a pair of its shoes or provides eye care to a person in need for every corresponding purchase — has deployed the Oracle Commerce platform to support its rapid business growth and international expansion.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Appliance & Hardware has debuted a smaller, neighborhood model format that will become a company standard for all new locations going forward. The new store, in Dallas, is also the first brand new Sears Appliance & Hardware store to open in the past ten years.

Plano, Texas -- J.C. Penney has secured Energy Star certifications in over 500 stores, one supply chain facility and its home office, far surpassing the company’s initial goal of having 400 locations certified by the end of 2013. (The Environmental Protection Agency awards Energy Star certification to buildings that rank within the top 25% of similar commercial buildings nationwide by meeting strict energy performance levels set by the EPA.)

Rite Aid's same-store sales increased by 2.1% this month compared with October 2012. The pharmacy chain also issued an estimate of the negative effects of Hurricane Sandy on its sales.

The increase included a 0.6% decrease in front-end same-store sales and an increase in pharmacy same-store sales of 3.4%, which were lowered by 0.85% due to introductions of new generic drugs. Same-store script count increased by 1.1%. Total sales for the month were $1.961 billion, a 2.2% increase over October 2012. The chain currently operates 4,599 stores.

By Craig Johnson, president, Customer Growth Partners