News

New York – Jan. 3 promises to be the longest day of the year for UPS employees as they process a record level of returns to retailers.

Burlington, Mass. -- On-demand e-commerce solution-provider Demandware said Wednesday that Pier 1  Imports has delivered the initial phases of its omnichannel strategy, which includes its new e-commerce-enabled Pier1.com website (launched in July 2012), and its mobile commerce site, both of which are run on the Demandware Commerce platform.

Pier 1 Imports now benefits from an enterprise-class, software-as-a-service platform that serves as the digital commerce backbone to connect consumers to its brand regardless of location, device or channel.

Campbell, Calif. -- Product lifecycle management software provider Centric Software said Tuesday that it has become the PLM system provider to Build-A-Bear Workshop.

Build-A-Bear Workshop purchased the Product Specification, Product Sourcing, Calendar Management, Line Planning, Quality Management and Material Management modules of the Centric 8 PLM system. Build-A-Bear Workshop also will implement Centric’s mobile apps and the Enterprise Connectivity module to integrate Centric 8 data with the company’s enterprise resource planning system.

San Bernardino, Calif. -- Regional grocer Stater Bros. Holdings Inc. reported Tuesday that profit for the fourth quarter slid to $5.0 million, compared with $5.6 million in the year-ago period.

Sales in the quarter increased to $957.2 million, from $941.8 million last year.

Walmart’s ongoing investigation into bribery allegations was thrust into the spotlight again on Monday after the New York Times ran a lengthy piece detailing how an elaborate series of payments accelerated construction of a controversial store in Mexico City.

FORT WORTH, Texas — Global work wear brand Dickies has signed a new licensing agreement with R & S Sales Company, a leading developer and marketer of slippers and flip-flops in the U.S.

WATERBURY, Vt. — Green Mountain Coffee Roasters has implemented several changes to its board of directors.

GMCR has elected Norman H. Wesley as its new chairman of the board and appointed former Kellogg Company head A. D. “David” Mackay as an independent director. Michael J. Mardy, who had previously served as interim chairman, will continue in his role as audit committee chair.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — Staples plans to triple the size of its e-commerce and IT staff by 2014, and has unveiled a new Velocity Lab at Kendall Square in Cambridge, Mass., to kick off its accelerated online growth initiative.

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. — Kohl’s has activated its largest solar project to date at its million-sq.-ft. e-commerce fulfillment center in Edgewood, Md.

Kohl’s, a leader in renewable energy usage, opened the facility in 2011, and recently earned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification from the U.S. Green Building Council at the gold level. The location is Kohl’s sixth solar site in Maryland. It is also the company’s first LEED-certified logistics facility.

BEAVERTON, Ore. — Nike has named Roger Wyett as its new VP of Action Sports. Wyett will oversee Nike brand’s skateboarding and snow businesses, as well as Hurley International LLC.

Sandy Bodecker, the current VP of Action Sports at Nike, will now work on special projects involving long-term product innovation. Additionally, Jim Calhoun, CEO of Converse, will report directly to Mark Parker, president and CEO of Nike.