Supply Chain & Merchandising

WEST CHESTER, Pa. — QVC is building a presence in China through a new joint venture with Beijing-based China National Radio (CNR), China's government-owned radio division. Through this partnership, CNR and QVC will jointly operate a multimedia retailing business in China through the CNR Mall TV shopping channel and its e-commerce website (www.CNRMall.com), leveraging the strengths and resources of each company.

Issy-Les-Moulineaux, France -- The Optic 2000 group, whch operates more than 1,850 specialty stores for eyewear and hearing devices, has chosen Microsoft Corp.’s enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution, Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 for Retail, to manage its sales, supply and inventory across its entire network of operations in France. Usability, simple maintenance, functional excellence and ease of upgrading are the key advantages that led to the company’s strategic decision to adopt the Microsoft business solution.

Dallas -- Davaco announced that it has promoted Tim Currier to VP operations.

In this role, Currier will oversee the company’s restaurant division and provide oversight of project management and field execution teams.

Currier, who was most recently director of operations for Davaco, will report to Mike Murray, senior VP operations.
 

New York -- Retail executives are invited to attend the Microsoft Retail Roadshow, which will be held in the Dallas suburb of Irving, Texas, on Thursday, March 22. The half-day event will explore ways that retailers can increase operational efficiency, lower costs and innovate to drive customer engagement.

The event, which will include continental breakfast, lunch, demos and a partner showcase, will be held at Microsoft, 7000 State Highway 161 (George Bush Turnpike), Building LC1, Irving, Texas, 75039.

Cincinnati -- Kroger announced that Tim Brown now will be responsible for stores in western Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Missouri, as president of the company's Delta division.

Brown, 52, has been VP operations in the company's Delta division, based in Roanoke, Va., since 2011. Before that, he served as the Mid-Atlantic division's VP merchandising since 2009.
 

New York City -- Tiffany reported Tuesday that its fourth-quarter profit slipped to $178.4 million from $181.2 million last year. Revenue met expectations, rising nearly 8% to $1.19 billion.

For the year, net earnings surged 19% to $439 million, and sales rose 18% to $3.6 billion.

The jewelry retailer said it plans to open 24 new stores in 2012, including nine in the Americas, seven in Asia-Pacific, three in Europe and five in the United Arab Emirates. It plans nine new stores in 2013.

It doesn’t really surprise me anymore when I hear about another national brand rolling out a smaller store format or compact new prototype. Recognizable names like Target, Walmart and Best Buy have all had some success with smaller formats, particularly when it comes to penetrating new markets. But I think the fact that Kohl’s has now joined the crowd is a little bit different — and a little bit more interesting.

Columbia, Md. -- Micros Systems said Tuesday that restaurant chain Ruby Tuesday has implemented its Table Management System across its 750+ units. 

A fully integrated component of the Micros Restaurant Enterprise Solution point-of-sale software solution, Micros TMS provides visibility to all aspects of the guest dining experience.