News Briefs

Lidl U.S. has named its sixth CEO since the discount grocer opened its U.S. headquarters in 2025.

Company veteran Alan Barry will step into the CEO role in July. He will succeed Joel Rampoldt, who left in January, moving into an advisory role with the German-owned company. (Marco Giudici, chief customer officer of Lidl U.S. and former CEO of Lidl Romania, was named interim CEO.)

Barry has served as COO of Lidl U.S. since 2024. Prior to that, he spent 17 years in executive roles with the company in Ireland and Great Britain.

In other moves, Maciej Tylkowski and Jassine Ouali will join Lidl U.S. as COO and chief customer officer, respectively, both moving from similar roles with Lidl in Great Britain and France, reported Chain Store Age sister publication Progressive Grocer.

Lidl, which is part of Schwarz Group, operates more than 12,000 stores, including approximately 200 U.S. locations, and is active in 31 countries. 

Signet Jewelers Ltd. is acquiring a luxury brand popular with younger consumers.

The jewelry giant, whose brands include Zales, Kay Jewelers, Jared and others, is acquiring online-only natural diamond jewelry brand The Clear Cut. Signet plans to integrate the company into Blue Nile, which it acquired in 2022.  The news was first reported by WWD, which said that the business generated more than 21 million TikTok views last year with no paid media spend.

The Clear Cut is best known for its personalized service and bespoke, handcrafted diamond engagement rings, as well as everyday fine jewelry pieces, with an average order value is nearly $30,000. Based in New York, the company was founded in 2016 by Olivia Landau and Kyle Simon.  

Landau, who is married to Simon, shared the news on the company’s Instagram account. She said that once the deal closes, she will continue to lead The Clear Cut as president while “also helping drive digital innovation across Signet’s portfolio to shape the future of the modern bridal experience.”

In a report by National Jeweler, Signet CFO Joan Hilson said that, upon closing of the deal, The Clear Cut will have access to Signet’s diamond inventory while the acquisition will give Signet access to The Clear Cut’s technology, including its proprietary AI platform.

Post-close, Landau will serve as president of The Clear Cut and  VP of Blue Nile, while co-founder Simon will remain COO of The Clear Cut and become VP of Blue Nile, the report said.

Signet operates approximately 2,600 stores primarily under the name brands of Kay Jewelers, Zales, Jared, Banter by Piercing Pagoda, Diamonds Direct, Blue Nile, James Allen, Rocksbox, Peoples Jewellers, H. Samuel and Ernest Jones.

Artificial intelligence tools are becoming increasingly used to create resumes — and employers are losing confidence in prospective candidates.

Most (92%) recruitment leaders believe AI-generated resumes are now commonplace, according to a new survey from talent platform Criteria Corp. About two-thirds (64%) of employers say they have hired someone who misrepresented their skills on a resume, while 39% say it has happened multiple times.

Only one-third of employers say they are “very confident” resumes accurately represent a candidate's true skills and experiences today, according to the survey. However,  two-in-three employers use a resume screen (human or AI) as the first step in their screening process.

[READ MORE: Study: Most retail workers considering switching careers or industries]

Criteria Corp says that companies that report resumes as the primary hiring decision driver are 35% more likely to say they've made a bad hire. Only 2% of employers say the resume remains their most trusted signal.

"AI has exposed the resume for what it has always been: a limited, one-dimensional snapshot of a candidate," said Josh Millet, CEO and co-founder of Criteria Corp. "This new research proves that the shift toward science-based, objective talent signals is no longer optional for hiring leaders; it's a survival mandate. Organizations must act now or risk losing top-tier candidates who are being overlooked by outdated systems."

Criteria Corp’s "Employer Confidence in Resumes Falls: Here's What They Are Doing Instead"' survey was conducted in partnership with Lighthouse Research & Advisory. The findings are based on a survey of 998 employers as well as in-depth interviews with dozens of hiring leaders and recruiters.

GoodRx, which expanded from providing prescription discounts via partner pharmacy retailers to directly selling and fulfilling orders for eligible prescription and over-the-counter medications online in 2024, is launching a monthly subscription program that expands its savings offerings.

[READ MORE: GoodRx launches direct-to-consumer e-commerce site]

In addition, GoodRx Companion provides GoodRx entry into the increasingly crowded retail telehealth space, which includes established competitors such as Amazon, Walmart, Kroger and Meijer.

Walmart has approved three third-party partners to help it simplify inbound supplier logistics.

The discount giant has named C.H. Robinson, Hub Group, and RJW Logistics as the three official third-party logistics providers supporting its new Prepaid Consolidation program. 

Through the three participating logistics providers, suppliers will now be able to insert their products into Walmart’s network through a single national purchase order to one automated consolidation center. This enables suppliers to move freight in full pallets and full truckloads to a single location rather than shipping smaller orders to each of Walmart’s 42 regional distribution centers (RDCs).

[READ MORE: Walmart expands regional distribution automation strategy]

Walmart said the program, which also allows direct supplier engagement, is built to make things easier for suppliers while still giving them flexibility. The program expands Walmart’s first mile capabilities for prepaid suppliers by using its national supply chain network to create a scalable way to merge shipments, creating greater transportation efficiency. 

In addition to being a long-time consolidator, C.H. Robinson also operates as a Walmart supplier through its Robinson Fresh division. RJW Logistics and Hub Group have also served as third-party logistics providers within Walmart’s supply chain network for years.

Based in Bentonville, Ark., Walmart Inc. operates more than 10,900 stores and numerous e-commerce websites in 19 countries. 

Honolulu’s world-renowned Ala Moana Center has a new Alaka’i (Hawaiian for “leader").

GGP has announced the appointment of Craig Gorris as senior general manager. The GGP and Brookfield veteran will oversee all aspects of center operations and lead the property team in collaborating on leasing, development, legal, and asset management.

“Craig is a proven leader with a strong track record running large, high-traffic shopping centers,” said Jake Wilson, vice president, property management retail at GGP. “He brings a practical, people-first approach that aligns well with Ala Moana Center’s scale, pace, and role in the community..” 

To his new post, Gorris brings more than three decades of experience within the GGP and Brookfield Properties portfolio to Ala Moana Center. 

He most recently served as senior general manager of Christiana Mall in Newark, Del., and previously held the same post at Glendale Galleria in California and Maple Tree Place in Williston, Vt.

Gorris has long been actively involved in industry and community organizations, serving on boards and committees for several chambers of commerce and other civic groups across the country. 

He holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Ohio University.