OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

Savannah, Ga. -- Citi Trends said Thursday that its president and CEO David Alexander has resigned the company, effective immediately, and will be replaced by prior CEO Ed Anderson, who led the retailer from 2001 to 2009.

Anderson is currently the chairman of the board and will continue to serve in that capacity.

The company also announced that it has hired Jason Mazzola as executive VP and chief merchandising officer. He was previously chief merchandising officer for an internet flash sales company.
 

Framingham, Mass. -- Staples announced the opening of a new e-commerce innovation center in Kendall Square in Cambridge, Mass. The office will house teams responsible for designing and implementing innovative new e-commerce solutions for the business customers who shop Staples websites and stores.

Dallas -- Loyalty and marketing solution-provider Alliance Data Systems Corp. said Thursday that it has signed a multi-year renewal agreement to continue providing private label credit card services to Reeds Jewelers.

Bedford, Mass. -- Mobile marketing solution-provider SoundBite Communications announced Thursday it has deployed a new mobile campaign with Westlake Ace Hardware, the largest member of the Ace Hardware Cooperative. Westlake is leveraging SoundBite’s multichannel communications platform and mobile marketing expertise for its Weather the Storm mobile campaign.

New York City -- Ron Johnson, CEO of J.C. Penney, unveiled his hotly anticipated vision for the chain’s future on Wednesday. The chain is looking to transform itself and the entire department store shopping experience with a three-pronged pricing structure, far less promotional clutter, and in-store shops (as many as 80 to 100) within its stores.

Called the "fair and square" pricing strategy, the new model is designed to offer appealing initial prices that are not confused by multiple promotions, deep discounts and daily sales. 

Washington, D.C. -- The National Retail Federation said it welcomed the emphasis on job creation in President Obama’s State of the Union address, saying that it will help restore the nation's economic state.

Mooresville, N.C. -- Lowe's announced that is partnering with Houzz, a social site for home remodeling and design, to offer consumers the chance to win a dream kitchen.

As part of its marketing relationship with Houzz, Lowe's has launched the “Dream Kitchen” sweepstakes, giving customers the chance to win a dream kitchen, valued at $50,000, designed and built by Houzz's top designers and contractors with materials from Lowe's.

Minneapolis -- SuperValu Inc. said Tuesday it has named Michael Moore as executive VP and chief marketing officer.

Moore, 47, joined the company in 2011 in the role of business transformation officer. He succeeds Julie Dexter Berg, who left the company to return to the West Coast.

Moore previously held a variety of executive leadership positions within customer business development at Procter & Gamble.