Supply Chain & Merchandising

J.C. Penney late Thursday announced that chief operating officer Michael W. Kramer had left the company.

His departure was disclosed in an 8-K filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In connection with Kramer’s departure, he received a lump sum cash payment of $2,143,414. In addition, the company also disclosed that Daniel Walker had resigned as the company’s chief talent officer.

London -- A Thursday report by Bloomberg said that retail sales in the U.K. fell a more-than-expected 0.8% (excluding fuel) in March compared to February, impacted by unseasonably cold weather and a still-sluggish economy.

Target may not cater to exactly the same shopper as Walmart, but there is enough overlap between the two companies to know that reports of weakness out of Minneapolis are never a good sign in Bentonville.

New York -- Dick Lynch has joined the SD Retail Consulting division of Hilco Trading as SVP merchandising and strategy.

In his new role, Lynch will be responsible for helping retailers create shareholder value through process, organization and technology enhancements in the key merchandising and inventory management functions. He will also play a key role in assisting management, owners and lenders in shareholder value creation assignments.

With 6,700 stores in 12 markets, Tesco is a formidable competitor globally, but Walmart won’t have to worry about competing with the company on its home turf.

New York -- Sherwin-Williams Co. reported a sales increase of 1.4% in the first quarter ended March 31, thanks to higher volume in the Paint Stores Group. The company expects to open 70 to 80 paint stores in 2013.
Net income increased 16% to $116.2 million.

The company's consolidated net sales increased 1.4% to $2.17 billion. The Paint Stores Group saw sales increase 4.0% to $1.17 billion in the quarter. The company pointed to higher architectural paint sales volume across all end-market segments. Comp-store sales for paint stores increased 3.2%.

ATLANTA — Supply chain solutions company Predictix has appointed Ronald P. Menich, Ph.D., as its new EVP and chief scientist. 

Predictix provides retailers and brands with platforms and tools that enable them to drive competitive advantage and market differentiation. 

Denver -- Brixmor Property Group said that Walmart Neighborhood Market will open a 55,669-sq.-ft. store at Villa Monaco, located in Denver.

The addition of this market will revitalize the shopping center, said Brixmor, attracting new retailers, restaurants and services to the center, and providing the community residents a convenient place to shop within their own neighborhood.