Supply Chain & Merchandising

Bentonville, Ark. - Mike Duke, president and CEO of Wal-Mart Stores, released the following statement in response to President Obama’s renewable energy address on Tuesday:

PARIS — Louis Vuitton has tapped billionaire heiress Delphine Arnault as the company’s EVP. As the second in command, the daughter of LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault will oversee all product-related activities of the Louis Vuitton House.

New York – Barnes & Noble reported disappointing financial results for the fourth quarter and full fiscal year 2013. During the fourth quarter, Barnes & Noble reported a net loss of $122 million, significantly more than the net loss of $9.7 million reported in fourth quarter 2012. For the full fiscal year, the retailer posted a net loss of $154.8 million, compared with a net loss of $56.9 million the prior fiscal year.

Omaha, Neb. - Midwestern department store retailer Gordmans Stores, which recently announced plans to expand its store base nearly 40% over a three-year period, said it will move forward with the Oracle Retail platform as a means to support the aggressive growth initiative.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens cited a challenging economy and low front-end comparable store sales for its weaker than expected third quarter results. 

The company has therefore initiated a three-point plan to boost front-end performance as the company shifts its Balance Rewards customer-acquisition focus into second gear with a greater emphasis on redemption and rewards. 

Bentonville, Ark. - Wal-Mart Stores announced Tuesday it has completed solar projects at eight Walmart stores and two Sam's Clubs across the state of Maryland that will generate clean, renewable electricity.

Atlanta - A Tuesday report by the Atlanta Business Chronicle said that the HoneyBaked Ham Co. of Georgia will expand in the Northeast with 30 new stores over the next five years, and will make its international debut in Japan via a partnership with Toranomon Ham Co. Ltd.

“Demand is growing in the northeast region,” said Molly Kesmodel, VP franchise development at HoneyBaked Ham. “Strategically speaking, we have had a solid year thus far with signed deals in Pennsylvania, Alabama and Georgia."

ATLANTA — The HoneyBaked Ham Company is gearing up for aggressive growth in the Northeastern U.S., and plans to sign more franchise deals in areas where demand for the brand is growing.