News Briefs
- 2/10/2025
Former CEO of New York & Company to lead Express, Bonobos
Phoenix has named a new leader.
The company, which operates Express and Bonobos, appointed Greg Scott as CEO, overseeing retail stores and e-commerce for both brands. (Established in June 2024 and described as a retail operating platform, Phoenix is a joint venture between WHP Global, Simon Property Group, Brookfield Properties and Centennial Real Estate.)
Scott has more than 30 years in the fashion industry, including serving as CEO of New York & Company and chief merchandising officer of Fashion Nova. His diverse background in leading both traditional retail and direct-to-consumer businesses positions him as a visionary force in the evolving retail landscape, Phoenix stated in a release.
Currently, there are over 400 Express retail and Express Factory Outlet stores and 50 Bonobos stores.
"Scott's appointment marks a significant step forward for Phoenix as it continues to strengthen and expand the Express and Bonobos brands," said Kevin Meme, interim CEO of Phoenix. "His passion for fashion retail and proven industry experience will be key in driving the platform's next phase of growth."
Scott will be based in the company's Columbus, Ohio headquarters. His appointment is effective Feb. 19, 2025.
"Under the Phoenix banner, we have an incredible opportunity to build a powerful platform, blending best-in-class retail, e-commerce, and experiential to meet the modern consumer where they are,” Scott said. “I am excited to work with the talented teams at Express and Bonobos to drive success and innovation for both brands."
- 2/10/2025
The most important global supply chain technology capability is…
Companies engaged in the global supply chain clearly favor one solution above all others.
Three-in-four (74%) supply chain and logistics executives recently surveyed by Descartes Systems Group view technology as fundamental or highly important to their organization’s growth strategy in the face of rising global trade challenges such as tariffs and trade barriers, supply chain disruptions and geopolitical instability.
Results of "What Companies are Doing to Tackle Escalating Global Supply Chain Challenges" from Descartes reveals that 36% of respondents cited global trade intelligence as a top global supply chain capability required to deliver the greatest value in the next two years.
This was followed by global trade analytics at 27% and by supply chain mapping at 26%. Other popular responses included environmental, social and governance compliance (25%), expert classification and controls (23%) and favorable trade agreement assessment (18%).
The survey also reveals that 88% of respondents expecting greater than 15% growth over the next two years view technology as fundamental or highly important to their organization’s growth strategy. In addition, 59% consider technology as extremely or very important to provide a competitive advantage in international trade.
"For companies in diverse industries, global trade has become much more complex, with many new challenges to traditional business operations," said Jackson Wood, director, industry strategy at Descartes. “As businesses contend with tariffs and trade barriers, geopolitical instability, supply chain disruptions and compliance requirements, technology tools can help them build greater agility and resilience into their supply chains to compete more effectively.”
[READ MORE: Our evolving supply chains — a 2025 perspective]
Descartes and SAPIO Research surveyed 978 supply chain intelligence leaders in key trading nations across Europe, North and South America, and Asia-Pacific.
- 2/10/2025
Macy's veteran named chief stores officer
Macy’s Inc. has lifted the interim tag and named its stores leader.
Barbie Cameron has been named chief stores officer of the department store giant, effective Feb. 16. Cameron most recently served as the senior VP and regional director of stores, East Region, and had served as interim chief stores officer since August of 2024. She has spent her entire career with Macy’s, serving in various roles over nearly four decades.
As chief store officer, Cameron leads store operations across Macy’s nameplate, from flagships to small format stores and its call center operations. She will also spearhead initiatives to modernize Macy’s, improve the shopping environment and elevate the customer and colleague experience, as outlined in the company’s Bold New Chapter strategy, a three-year plan designed to achieve “sustainable profitable growth.”
Cameron reports to Adrian Mitchell, chief operating officer and chief financial officer of Macy’s.
[READ MORE: Macy’s Inc. CEO takes center stage at NRF 2025]
“Barbie is an experienced retailer and has built a strong track record during her 37-year career at Macy’s,” said Mitchell. “I am confident that her deep understanding of our customer will continue to drive the Bold New Chapter strategy forward by improving in-store experiences and modernizing Macy’s for today’s consumer. I look forward to continuing to work closely with Barbie and our talented team of store leaders and colleagues.”
Headquartered in New York City, Macy’s operates approximately 720 stores under the Macy’s, Bloomingdales and Bluemercury banners. In January, Macy’s announced that it would be closing 66 namesake “non-go-forward” store locations.
- 2/7/2025
Trump restores tariff loophole used by used by low-cost shopping apps
President Trump is restoring an exemption from duties and taxes on lower-value goods he previously revoked from Chinese imports.
In an executive order, Trump amended a section of his previous executive order placing a 10% tariff on imports from China that also said no shipments from China would be eligible for the de minimis exception, which exempts imported shipments with an aggregate value of less than $800 from having to pay tariffs.
The exception also allows these shipments to enter the U.S. while revealing less information about the contents than other imported shipments.
Trump is now reverting to U.S. policy on de minimis shipments established by President Biden in September 2024.The Biden administration used executive authority to exclude from the de minimis exemption all shipments containing products covered by tariffs imposed under Sections 201 or 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, or Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962.
[READ MORE: Biden targets Temu and Shein with action on low-cost Chinese shipments]
Section 301 tariffs cover approximately 40% of U.S. imports, including 70% of textile and apparel imports from China.
CNBC previously reported that Shein and Temu, low-priced shopping apps paid no import duties in 2022 due to de minimis exemption claims, and a 2023 report from the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party found that the two companies likely generate almost half of all de minimis shipments to the U.S. from China.
- 2/7/2025
Gopuff launches group ordering feature
An online fast delivery platform is streamlining the process of ordering items for multiple customers in a single delivery.
Based in Philadelphia, Gopuff operates hundreds of micro-fulfillment centers servicing thousands of U.S. cities, providing fast delivery (in as little as minutes) of immediate everyday needs, including cleaning and home products, over-the-counter medications, food, beverages and, in some markets, alcohol.
[READ MORE: Gopuff launches 20-minute delivery]
Gopuff is now introducing GoGroup. This new feature enables multiple customers to seamlessly add items to a shared cart, then have everything delivered in a single order in as fast as 15 minutes.
Starting Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, members of the Gopuff FAM paid membership program have exclusive early access to GoGroup.
How it works:
- To start a group order, customers click the GoGroup button on the top right-hand side of the Gopuff homepage and enter a group order name (e.g. “Go Birds!”).
- Group orders can be shared via QR code or link, allowing others to join instantly. Collaborators will be taken to their Gopuff app or invited to create a Gopuff account.
- Collaborators who accept the group invitation can start adding items to the cart GoGroup will automatically set all collaborators’ addresses to the owner’s address, ensuring they see only the items available at that local micro-fulfillment center.
- The group owner can see the full order, organized by each person’s additions, make adjustments, add coupons or discount code(s), and check out when ready. Once the order is placed, the group owner can also share a link to the order status page with their collaborators. Owners will be charged for the full order.
A wider rollout to all customers will follow.
(Photo Credit: Business Wire)
- 2/7/2025
New grocers to accept SNAP/EBT on DoorDash
DoorDash is expanding its SNAP/EBT program to include a handful of new merchants.
Wakefern Food Corp. (ShopRite, The Fresh Grocer, Price Rite Marketplace, Fairway Market and Gourmet Garage banners), Southeastern Grocers (Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie stores) and BJ’s Wholesale Club now accept SNAP/EBT benefits as payment on the DoorDash Marketplace.
DoorDash says approximately 1.8 million consumers have added their SNAP/EBT cards to their DoorDash accounts since it launched support for the payments in 2023, and 93% of monthly active consumers on DoorDash have access to at least one store accepting SNAP on the platform.
“Our network of stores that accept SNAP/EBT online payments on the DoorDash Marketplace has grown to over 15,000 across the United States,” said Fuad Hannon, VP of new verticals at DoorDash. “We’re proud to offer online grocery delivery to SNAP beneficiaries, helping them access fresh, affordable food regardless of their circumstances – whether they face time constraints, limited transportation, or mobility challenges. The addition of SNAP/EBT payments to these partners on DoorDash underscores our ongoing commitment to breaking down barriers to food access nationwide.”
[READ MORE: DoorDash customers gain access to Ibotta discounts]
In addition to adding new retailers, DoorDash also recently introduced a new, one-year discounted DashPass plan for SNAP/EBT recipients. Eligible consumers who sign up for the plan can enjoy one year of DashPass benefits, including $0 delivery fees and reduced service fees on eligible orders, exclusive offers and more, for just $4.99/month.