Supply Chain & Merchandising

SAN FRANCISCO — Fresh & Easy has announced the opening dates for its first two stores in San Francisco.

The retail chain said that the stores, which will open on June 22 and Aug. 24, will create more than 50 jobs. What's more, Fresh & Easy also invites area residents to nominate a local, nonprofit organization to receive a $1,000 donation for each new store opening. Based on the nominations from the neighborhood, store employees will select the winning charity.

MONTVALE, N.J. — Grocer A&P has announced the launch of a brand-new line of Angus beef in its stores.

Woodson & James choice Angus beef, exclusive to A&P banner stores, will replace the current beef steak and roast offerings in all A&P, Pathmark, Superfresh, Waldbaum's and Food Emporium stores beginning May 27.

The new and exclusive Woodson & James Angus beef line features U.S. Department of Agriculture choice Angus beef that is grain-fed and single-sourced.

Memphis, Tenn. — Strong third quarter results at AutoZone caused shares to surge on Tuesday and pushed the company’s stock toward the $300 mark.

Jerry Inman has joined 7thOnline to help the provider of retail merchandise assortment planning, forecasting and optimization solutions grow its visibility within the retailer and supplier communities.

Boca Raton, Fla. — After serving seven months in an interim capacity, Office Deport made a surprise decision and named long-time board member Neil Austrian as its new chairman and CEO. The announcement ends a lengthy search that began last fall when former chairman and CEO Steve Odland left the company on Nov. 1, amid deteriorating business results and Austrian was tapped to serve in an interim capacity. He had previously served in an interim role prior the company’s appointment of Odland.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid has appointed David Kelly as group VP construction, the retail pharmacy chain said Monday.

Kelly, who has worked in real estate and development for more than 25 years, will start work May 31 and will have overall responsibility for all store planning and construction services, in addition to having a role in various segmentation initiatives such as Wellness stores, value stores and co-branded Save-A-Lot Rite Aid stores, reporting directly SVP, CFO and chief administrative officer Frank Vitrano.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid has appointed David Kelly as group VP construction, the retail pharmacy chain said Monday.

Kelly, who has worked in real estate and development for more than 25 years, will start work May 31 and will have overall responsibility for all store planning and construction services, in addition to having a role in various segmentation initiatives, including Wellness, value and co-branded Save-A-Lot/Rite Aid stores. He will report directly to SVP, CFO and chief administrative officer Frank Vitrano.

Target CFO Doug Scovanner moderated analysts’ second-quarter and full-year earnings expectations slightly, although it can at times be difficult to tell given the language used to communicate in the Wall Street guidance game.