News

To address the challenge of increasingly complex supply chains, IBM this week introduced a new inventory optimization solution as part of its Smarter Commerce initiative.

A small group of Walmart employees at a Southern California store staged a one day walk out some have been quick to label as a strike. The New York Times details what happened and Walmart’s response. Click here.　

Retail sales in September decelerated from August at many of Walmart’s competitors, but overall demand remained positive judging from the shrinking number of companies who continue to report monthly results.

Discounters The TJX Cos. and Ross Stores reported September same-store sales that rose 6% and 5%, respectively. The figures exceeded both companies’ expectations and shoppers continue to respond to their brand of apparel retail.

Wall, N.J. -- Wakefern Food Corp. and NJR Clean Energy Ventures, a subsidiary of New Jersey Resources, have started work on the installation of a rooftop solar system at a Wakefern Food Corp. distribution center in Keasbey, N.J. The 2.4-megawatt solar system will supply power to a refrigerated warehouse, helping lower Wakefern’s long-term electricity costs and its greenhouse gas emissions.

FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif. — Wet Seal merchandising executive, Harriet Sustarsic has left the company to become SVP, general merchandise manager for True Religion Brand Jeans.

Sustarsic was serving as division chief merchandising officer and will remain with the company until Oct. 19 to assist with the transition. Kim Bajrech and Debbie Shinn have assumed senior leadership of the Wet Seal merchandising organization, which they previously shared on an interim basis from November 2009 through November 2011.

The Budweiser brand raised $2.5 million for military families during Major League Baseball’s recently ended regular season as part of a program called, "Walk-off a Hero."

CINCINNATI — Kroger was honored by the Alliance to Save Energy this week. The company received the group's top award, the "Galaxy" Star of Energy Efficiency.

"We are honored to receive this recognition from the Alliance to Save Energy," said David Dillon, Kroger's chairman and chief executive officer. "This is a real tribute to Kroger's 339,000 associates who bring our energy saving programs to life every day. We will continue to work tirelessly in all areas of our business to reduce energy consumption."

Family Dollar – like Dollar General – is opening stores as fast as it can and this week said it would add 500 new units ahead of what is expected to be an announcement by Walmart next week to accelerate growth of its own small format.