News Briefs

Dick’s Sporting Goods is unifying its production chain activities on a single artificial intelligence-based platform.

The specialty athletic apparel and equipment retailer is rolling out the Inspectorio traceability and transparency, production monitoring, and lab testing solutions. Dick’s had been utilizing Inspectorio responsible sourcing and inspection solutions for more than three years.

Dick’s will utilize Inspectorio sourcing and production technology to obtain seamless connection of traceability data with the rest of its sourcing operations, as well as automate manual processes with AI-equipped features. 

The retailer also intends to obtain enhanced visibility into performance and production changes and more easily identify which raw materials are being used across multiple purchase orders and test them once at the source, eliminating redundant lab testing further down the supply chain.

In addition, Dick’s seeks to eliminate the manual processes and paperwork associated with environmental, social and governance audit management and gain insights into audit details.

"The Inspectorio platform weaves traceability and responsible sourcing into broader sourcing operations unlike any other provider on the market," said Antonio Leon de la Barra, VP of strategy, growth, and innovation at Inspectorio. "We’re extremely proud to partner with Dick’s Sporting Goods to implement our platform’s capabilities across the brand’s extensive range of product categories."

[READ MORE: Dick's plans new Texas distribution hub]

At the end of the second quarter of 2024, Dick’s operated a total of 861 stores, including 725 namesake stores (includes 14 Dick’s House of Sport locations) and 136 specialty concepts, including 97 Golf Galaxy stores, seven Public Lands stores, 16 Going Going Gone! stores and other specialty concept stores.

Everlane has named a fashion veteran as its new chief executive.

The upscale apparel brand named Alfred Chang as CEO. He succeeds Andrea O’Donnell, who had been in the role since 2021. She left in January to take the helm of Designer Brands, parent company of Designer Shoe Warehouse.

Most recently, from Feb 2023 to Jul 202, Chang was CEO of Fear of God, an L.A.-based high-end streetwear brand. Prior to that, he spent 17 years at PacSun, including serving as co-CEO from June 2021 to March 2023. He joined the retailer in 2006, and went on to hold a variety of roles, including president, chief brand officer and executive VP of merchandising and design. 

At Everlane, Chang will work alongside founder Michael Preysman, who is continuing as executive chairman and climate lead of the brand, reported WWD. 

"Chang has a proven track record in transforming brands by delivering incredible products and scalable growth,” Preysman said in the WWD report. “I’m confident that under his leadership,  Everlane will continue to push boundaries in sustainable fashion and elevate our brand to new heights.”

The arrival of Primark, H&M, Warby Parker, Gap, and Kiko Milano have left no space available in the Macerich-owned portion of Queens Center in New York City, according to the big mall owner.

In addition, Ashkenazy Acquisition Corporation, which owns the JCPenney building at the mall, expects Burlington to open for business on its first floor in time for the 2024 holiday season.

“The addition of these national brands sets the shopping center apart from other centers in the market," said Macerich’s VP of leasing Richard Madramuthu. "The shopping center’s goal has always been to connect with the community. The addition of these five brands will offer local shoppers and tourists a valuable experience where all their favorite stores can be found under one roof.” 

Prior to the 2023 holiday shopping season, Zara opened a 36,000-sq.-ft. multi-level store at the mall, which remains its only Queens location.

Queens Center, located at the busy crossroads of Queens and Woodhaven Boulevards, has served as a vital retail center in the borough of Queens for 50 years. Other key tenants include Macy’s, Apple, Chick-fil-A, Sephora, Adidas, and Abercrombie Kids.

Shoppers  in select Walmart stores can pick up their groceries and other items and also explore potential job opportunities in their area. 

Staffing solutions company Manpower is opening branch offices, or “job hubs,”  in seven Walmart locations across the country, with the first two now open in Sturtevant, Wis. and High Point, N.C. Five additional Manpower branches are slated to open in late September through early November, in Walmart stores in the following locations:

• Fayetteville, Ga.;
• Humble, Tex.;
• Oak Park Heights, Minn.;
• Dallas; and
• Raleigh, N.C.

"We aim to provide products and services in our stores that enhance the shopping experience and contribute to a better quality of life for our customers," said Tené Green, Walmart senior director. "One of the pathways to a quality life is through employment."

The Manpower job hubs are designed offer one-stop convenience to local job seekers. They provide job seekers with direct access to employment opportunities in the local markets and leverage Manpower’s hiring and skilling programs. 

"We're thrilled to launch these innovative branch offices inside select Walmart locations,” said  Rajesh Namboothiry, senior VP, Manpower, which is part of the ManpowerGroup.“ This initiative reflects our commitment to meeting talent where they are, breaking down barriers, and making it easier for job seekers to connect with us. By staying ahead of industry trends, we're continuously improving how we attract top talent and create exceptional opportunities for both job seekers and employers."

Yesway continue to expand its portfolio.

The convenience store retailer has opened eight new locations under its Allsup’s banner during the past six months, with stores in Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma. It plans to open more stores by the end of the year, including six in New Mexico (locations listed at end of article).

Allsup’s new, large-format stores span 6,277 sq. ft. and operate 24 hours daily, offering a variety of products that includes the chain’s “world famous” burritos.  Most locations also feature a beer cave, Western Union services, ATMs, and cryptocurrency and digital currency ATMs.

"We are incredibly proud of our teams for driving this accelerated growth,” said Thomas Brown, chief real estate officer, Yesway. “We are excited to bring our unique brand of service and hospitality to more communities and anticipate continued expansion as we look ahead to 2025."

Six Allsup’s stores are set to open in New Mexico by year’s end, with locations at:

•8951 Mountain Vista Parkway, Las Cruces;

•3075 W Main Street, Farmington;

• 23 I-25 Bypass Road, Belen;

•6350 Highway 550, Cuba;

•9501 Gibson Boulevard SW, Albuquerque; and

•2101 Main Street SE, Los Lunas.

Founded in 2015, Yesway is one of the fastest-growing convenience store operators in the United States. The Fort Worth-based company operates 434 stores across Texas, New Mexico, South Dakota, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Wyoming, Oklahoma and Nebraska. It operates primarily under two brands, Yesway and Allsup’s.

A specialty apparel brand is supporting digital transformation with transparency into product development.

Hugo Boss is leveraging the Centric product lifecycle management (PLM) solution and visual assortment boards as the foundation of its digital value chain twin initiative. Digital twins are interactive, artificial intelligence-based virtual models that serve as digital replicas of real-life objects and/or environments.

[READ MORE: Lowe’s tests ‘digital twin’ of two physical stores]

Hugo Boss is undertaking a multi-year project to build a digital value chain twin, which it hopes will aid intelligent decision-making by connecting product creation, planning and execution from demand to supply. Utilizing its digital twin system, Hugo Boss intends to enhance communication with external partners, centralize data, simplify processes and enable product development best practices.

"Our twin program builds the backbone of our tech-driven value chain," said Ivica Maric, executive VP business operations at Hugo Boss. "We made PLM a core focus of our twin program as a ‘single source of truth’ and end-to-end system where our data is transparent, visible to the entire company across all regions and seamlessly connected to our other systems and solutions." 

Headquartered in Metzingen, Germany, Hugo Boss is a global fashion company divided into two brands – Boss and Hugo.