Supply Chain & Merchandising

Irving, Texas -- SAF U.S.A. announced that Delhaize America, the primary subsidiary of Delhaize Group, has selected SAF RetailSuite Store to support its in-stock conditions and align its inventory with consumer demand.

Delhaize America, which operates under the banners Food Lion, Bloom, Bottom Dollar Food, Harveys, Hannaford and Sweetbay, will implement the solution in its 1,500 stores across 16 states.

Washington, D.C. -- Retail sales increased 0.4% last month, the Commerce Department said Wednesday, buoyed by rising gasoline revenue. The gain in March, the ninth consecutive monthly increase, was the smallest since the string began last summer.

The increase shrank to a 0.1% when sales at gasoline stations were excluded. However, the biggest decline in auto sales in more than a year also pulled down overall sales. When taking out sales at gas station and of autos, retail sales rose 0.6%.

TOPEKA, Kan. -- Payless ShoeSource announced that Andrew Meyer has been named SVP and general merchandise manager for Payless' women's and accessories businesses, reporting to LuAnn Via, president and CEO of Payless.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- As Walmart embarks on its campaign to be the low-price leader and broaden product assortment, the company said it plans to reduce space for electronics in its U.S. stores, saying that sales in that category have declined.

The company will reduce floor space devoted to items such as flat-screen televisions and give some of that space to apparel, according to Rosalind Brewer, who runs the Wal-Mart East division and addressed the ISI Group Retail Summit in Atlanta on Tuesday.

Burbank, Calif. -- Ikea on Wednesday went live with the solar energy system installed at its store in Burbank, Calif. The 35,000-sq.-ft. array consists of a 290-kW system, built with approximately 1,260 panels. 

The installation will produce approximately 421,300 kWh of electricity annually, the equivalent of reducing at least 334 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2). The initiative will contribute to the local utility’s renewable portfolio goals and will lower the carbon intensity of the electrical grid.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Finish Line announced that Donald Gualdoni has been appointed VP business development and corporate strategy, effective April 14.