Supply Chain & Merchandising

Mooresville, N.C.-based Lowe's will eliminate positions between assistant manager and manager, and hire part-time workers for the busy weekends.

The move will cut about 1,700 middle management jobs in the stores, but will lead to an additional 8,000 to 10,000 part time workers, according to Chris Ahearn, Lowe's VP of public relations. The shake up is expected to take effect Jan. 29.

Irving, Texas -- NEC Corp. of American announced that OXXO, the largest convenience store chain in Latin America, has selected NEC’s new point of sale hardware platform, TWINPOS 4500 as its standard.

With more than 8,000 stores strategically located throughout Mexico and Colombia, OXXO offers convenient services and products, 24-hour service in most areas and a fast and comfortable shopping experience.

Berwyn, Ill. -- The city council of Berwyn, Ill., has unanimously approved a redevelopment agreement with Meijer to anchor the city’s Cermak Plaza shopping center. Meijer currently has nearly 200 locations in the Midwest, and this newest site will be the closest location to downtown Chicago.

Meijer recently announced a new format, Chicagoland, for the urban marketplace. These urban infill stores will focus largely on grocery and pharmacy but will still offer general merchandise for a one-stop-shopping experience.

Cleveland-based Sherwin-Williams reported fourth-quarter net income of $72.9 million, up 11.6% from $65.3 million reported for the same period last year.

Sales for the quarter ended Dec. 31 were $1.89 billion, up 18.8% from $1.59 billion reported for the same period in 2009.

For the full year, the company reported net income of $462.4 million, up 6.1% from $435.8 million for fiscal year 2009.

Sales for 2010 totaled $7.77 billion, up 9.5% from $ 7.09 billion reported last year.

Morrisville, N.C. -- Lowe's Cos. announced Tuesday that it is laying off approximately 1,700 middle managers across the United States in an effort to cut costs as its profit trains rival The Home Depot. The retailer also plans to add 8,000 to 10,000 weekend sales assistants to improve staffing during its stores’ busiest times.

New York City -- Coach reported Tuesday that net income for the quarter ended Jan. 1 rose a better-than-expected 26% to $303.4 million on strong sales, compared with $240.1 million in the year-ago period.

The company credited a rebound in U.S. luxury spending, as well as soaring holiday sales in China for the strong performance.

Sales leaped 18.7% to $1.26 billion, boosted by a same-store sales increase of 12.6% in North America.

On average, Wall Street expected revenue of $1.21 billion.

YORK, Pa. -- The Bon-Ton Stores announced its board of directors unanimously approved an amendment to Bud Bergren’s employment agreement, which states Bergren will continue to serve as president and CEO through Feb. 5, 2012. His term as president and CEO will automatically renew for successive periods of one year unless either the company or Bergren elects not to renew his term as president and CEO.

New York City -- TF Cornerstone said it has signed a 10-year, approximately 3,500-sq.-ft. lease with Bakehouse at 113 Horatio Street, in the Meatpacking District of New York City.

In addition to the ground floor, the bakery will occupy approximately 3,500 sq. ft. of the building’s basement and will primarily be wholesaling cakes and pastries to the hotel and restaurant industry. The space will also be built out to accommodate a café/bakery and a French bistro-style restaurant which is anticipated to open this spring.