OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

Pittsburgh -- Dick’s Sporting Goods said Thursday it has launched a new mobile application for iPhone and Android smartphones.

The new app gives users access to Dick’s ScoreCard rewards program, along with location services, social networking and mobile shopping capabilities. It also features built-in barcode scanner functionality, allowing shoppers to scan product and marketing QR codes in-store and access information including product description, news, price and user reviews.

Minneapolis -- Supervalu on Thursday announced the appointment of Kathy Persian as senior VP and chief information officer of the company.  

Persian joined Supervalu in 2010 as group VP retail and merchandising systems, and later moved to group VP corporate planning, analysis and business process.

She replaces Wayne Shurts, who resigned to accept a position with another company.

Prior to Supervalu, Persian served as senior VP international business process and operations for Best Buy Co.

Atlanta -- RedPrairie Corp., a global supply chain and retail technology provider, announced that Adidas has gone live with RedPrairie workforce management (WFM) at its Singapore retail locations. Adidas will leverage RedPrairie WFM to increase employee productivity and optimize scheduling to help Adidas deliver optimal customer service to Singapore consumers.
 

Reston, Va. -- Four in every five smartphone users – 85.9 million in total – accessed retail content on their device in July, according to a study by comScore. Amazon sites led as the top retailer with an audience of 49.6 million visitors, representing 46.6% of smartphone owners, followed by eBay with 32.6 million visitors and Apple with 17.7 million visitors.

Austin, Texas -- SecureNet Payment Systems, a leader in payment processing technology, announced it has opened a new technology and innovation center in Austin, Texas, and revealed plans for a client operations center in Silicon Valley, Calif., later this year. SecureNet is expanding its footprint to house its growing staff, attract top talent and continue its close collaboration with clients in providing the most innovative single source/multi-channel solutions in the payments industry.  

New York -- Gap announced that it plans to launch a limited-edition collection for men designed by GQ's six Best New Menswear Designers in America for 2012, starting Sept. 27.

With price points starting at $20 for items such as boxer briefs and ranging up to $348 for such pieces as a leather bomber jacket, the collection will be available at select Gap stores worldwide and online at Gap.com.

Palo Alto, Calif. – Aisle411, a mobile retail navigation service, announced the acquisition of WiLocate’s technology assets to provide precise indoor positioning information, expanding Aisle411’s in-store search and navigation offering. As part of the deal, Aisle411 has also acquired multiple patents pending.

Memphis -- Fred’s Super Dollar announced that it is launching a holiday layaway plan featuring no fees and a down payment of only $1. The plan also offers a $5 gift card to customers for every layaway purchase totaling $50 or more.