Supply Chain & Merchandising

Johannesburg, South Africa — A Bloomberg report on Sunday said that Massmart Holdings Ltd., the South African retailer controlled by Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., will open 23 new outlets over the next eight months, part of its plan to not only expand its coverage area but also to add jobs in the region. The plan calls for 15,000 jobs over the next three years.

The retailer also said it will repeat a price-cut promotion at its stores.

DODGEVILLE, Wis. — Lands' End has announced the promotion of Tim Martin to COO/CFO, and Chris Kolbe to brand president.  

As the leader of operations and finance for Lands' End, Martin will oversee all aspects of financial planning and inventory management for the brand's global business. He most recently served as SVP, CFO.

Menomonee Falls, Wis. -- Retail interior environments manufacturer TJ  Hale has purchased Milwaukee-based millwork manufacturer A.J. Pietsch. 

A.J. Pietsch manufacturing will move to Menomonee Falls, and the two companies will leverage their state-of-the-art systems, CNC equipment and facilities. 

SECAUCUS, N.J. — The Children's Place Retail Stores has announced the appointment of Peter Warner as SVP global sourcing, effective immediately. Warner will report to Eric Bauer, COO, and will serve as a member of the company's senior leadership team. He will be responsible for the global sourcing and production functions, technical services and Asian operations.

Seattle -- Starbucks Coffee Company is teaming up with the Opportunity Finance Network (OFN)  to launch a “Create Jobs for USA” fund. 

Starting Nov.1, the new initiative will pool donations from Starbucks customers, partners (employees) and citizens into a nationwide fund for community business lending. One-hundred percent of the donations will go toward loans for firms and organizations that can add jobs or stem job losses, Starbucks said. 

Secaucus, N.J. — The Children's Place Retail Stores, Inc. said Friday that it has named Peter Warner as SVP global sourcing, for the chain.

Warner will be responsible for the global sourcing and production functions, technical services and Asian operations. Most recently, he served as SVP of Global Sourcing & Operations for Liz Claiborne Inc.

With its chief marketing officer, Michael Francis leaving to take on the role of president of JCPenney, Target is temporarily without an executive to head up its expansion into Canada, which should come as good news to Walmart Canada, which recently announced some leadership changes of its own.

Former Asda executive and Walmart Canada CEO David Cheesewright has a new role that opens up some intriguing growth possibilities, given his new responsibilities include oversight of geographic areas where Walmart doesn’t currently operate stores.

New York -- In a surprise announcement, Target said that Michael Francis, executive VP and chief marketing officer of Target Corp., has elected to leave the company.  In January, 2011, Francis was charged with overseeing with Target’s Canadian entrance. 

The retailer was short on specifics regarding Francis’ departure. 

"We would like to thank Michael for his many contributions and wish him the best in his future endeavors" said Gregg Steinhafel, chairman, president and CEO, in a statement.