Store Systems

Technology is supposed to make our lives simpler – both as consumers and as professionals. It is technology which is bridging the gap between the store and online, between supply and demand, between consumer expectations and retailer capabilities. However, delivering simple solutions is not always easy in today’s complex and rapidly changing business world.

Los Angeles -- American Apparel announced it has appointed Brian McHale as senior VP and CIO, with responsibility for overseeing information technology and computer systems. In addition to providing critical support to American Apparel’s onsite hardware and software applications, McHale will also lead the development and expansion of the company’s retail digital capabilities alongside Thoryn Stephens, recently appointed chief digital officer.

Goodlettsville, Tenn. - Jeff Owen will rejoin Dollar General Corp. as executive VP of store operations effective June 15. Owen previously spent more than 20 years with Dollar General, where his most recent role was senior VP of store operations.

Dollar General also announced that Greg Sparks, executive VP of store operations, has departed effective June 9, 2015.

Sidney, Neb. -- Cabela’s Inc. will open a 50,000-sq.-ft. store in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Upon opening, it will become the first Cabela’s location in Nova Scotia and second in Atlantic Canada, joining the Moncton, New Brunswick store opened in May.

The retailer expects construction on the store to begin in 2016, and anticipates a 2017 opening. It will be located in the Dartmouth Crossing development near the intersection of Lakeview Drive and Wright Avenue. North American Development is the developer.
 

Dollar General Corp. is looking to a longtime Dollar General employee to be its next executive vice president of store operations. 

Philadelphia - Five Below is entering the Florida market with the opening of nine stores on June 12. These locations, which will bring the fast-growing retailer’s store count to 400, and are part of a total 70 new stores it plans to open in 2015.

“Entering the state of Florida, our 25th state and opening our first stores in Jacksonville, Orlando and Tampa, is very exciting as we continue to grow our footprint across the country," said Joel Anderson, CEO of Five Below.

New York -- Bloomingdale’s chairman and CEO Tony Spring talked about one of the company’s top-selling products (frozen yogurt!) and much more on Tuesday at the Retail Marketing Society’s “Reinventing the Store” conference in New York.

Here are 10 take-away quotes from his presentation:

“Our Forty Carrots frozen yogurt is one of our best-selling items. We have customers who come into our store five times a week for it.”