Data & Analytics

Tampa, Fla. -- Applied Data Corporation (ADC), a provider of fresh item management (FIM), recipe management and scales management software to the grocery retail and food service industries, announces that Publix Super Markets, a 1,068 store chain headquartered in Lakeland, Fla., has selected InterScale, ADC's Scales Management Software system, for data transmission to and from the barcode labeling scales in their stores.
 

New York -- J.C. Penney has been working with consulting firm AlixPartners, which specializes in turnarounds, for about a month, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Executives at AlixPartners are focused on cash flow management and finding ways for Penney to save money, according to the report.

By Leslie Hand, research director, IDC Retail Insights

Ron Johnson's highly publicized short tenure at J.C. Penney, or JCP, as it was rebranded, will certainly make it into the textbooks and graduate theses on what to do and what not to do when undertaking a significant retail business transformation. The primary failure was not putting customer needs first in what promised to be an excellent long term strategy. Oops — forget the customer in an omni-channel customer strategy?

What a colossal mistake!

Menomonee Falls, Wis. -- Kohl’s Department Stores released its 2012 corporate social responsibility report, providing updates on the company’s programs and accomplishments in sustainability, community relations and social compliance. The company noted that, as of the end of fiscal 2012, it has achieved 752 Energy Star-certified locations, adding 75 stores in 2012 with a goal to reach 800 certified locations by 2015.

In other sustainability highlights, at the end of fiscal 2012:

Plano, Texas -- J. C. Penney Company announced the promotion of Brynn Evanson to EVP human resources, leading all HR functions across stores, supply chain and the home office, including team member relations, recruiting, learning and development, compensation and benefits, and talent operations. Evanson will join the company`s executive board, reporting to CEO Myron E. (Mike) Ullman, III.

Evanson, 44, joined J.C. Penney in 2009 and most recently served as VP compensation, benefits and talent operations.
 

New York -- Coach on Tuesday reported that its net income for three-month period ending on March 30 rose 6.2% to $238.9 million amid strong sales in North America, beating analysts’ expectations. The company also disclosed that its longtime president and executive creative director, Reed Krakoff, will step down when his contract expires next year in order to focus on his own namesake brand, which is owned by Coach. Coach said it is already looking for a successor.

St. Louis -- Panera Bread Company on Tuesday said that chairman and co-CEO Ron Shaich will once again serve as the company's sole CEO starting on Aug. 1. Bill Moreton, who currently serves as co-CEO and president, plans to transition to an executive vice chairman role in order to spend more time on a family matter.

Moreton commented: "As a result of this family matter, I have found myself unable to travel and am now clear I will be challenged to fully execute my responsibilities as president and Co-CEO of Panera Bread.”

Montreal -- Jesta I.S. said Monday that Body Central Corp. has selected Jesta I.S.’ Vision Suite to support its strategy of moving to a complete omni-channel environment.

Body Central will utilize the Vision Suite to power its enterprise with one unified solution, streamlining retail operation processes and providing Body Central with breakdowns on products and simplified strategies via refined business intelligence data.