OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

Berwyn, Pa. -- Planalytics has issued its weather outlook for the all-important days after Christmas when many consumers head to the stores to redeem gift cards and exchange presents. Here’s how the firm sees the forecast shaping up for the Northeast and South:

Maumelle, Ark. -- Dillard’s announced it will locate an Internet fulfillment center in Maumelle, Ark., to support the continuing growth of its online business. The company has signed an agreement to purchase the former Target distribution facility and will create over 300 new jobs in the Central Arkansas area.

New York - Macy’s Inc. said Monday that 14 of its stores, including Herald Square and Queens Center in New York, will remain open 24-hours-a-day until Christmas.

The extended hours begin on Tuesday, Dec. 21.

The stores, which are located in New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Virginia, Michigan and Minnesota, will be joined by another slate of nine stores that will stay open until 2 a.m., located in New York, New Jersey, California and Massachusetts.

New York City - Macy’s Inc. said Monday that 14 of its stores, including Herald Square and Queens Center in New York, will remain open 24-hours-a-day until Christmas.

The extended hours begin on Tuesday, Dec. 21.

The stores, which are located in New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Virginia, Michigan and Minnesota, will be joined by another slate of nine stores that will stay open until 2 a.m., located in New York, New Jersey, California and Massachusetts.

New York City -- The Jones Group said Thursday that its founder and chairman Sidney Kimmel will serve as non-executive chairman, effective Jan. 1.

The transition from executive chairman will mark the end of the 40th year since Kimmel founded the company, according to Jones Group.

Woonsocket, R.I. -- A Delaware judge on Wednesday barred a former top executive for Wal-Mart Stores from taking a job as president of CVS Caremark Corp. until a trial is held on Wal-Mart's claim that the executive signed a noncompete agreement that prevents him from working for CVS. The trial is scheduled for early March.

New York City -- Kroger Co. has named Sukanya Madlinger as president of the company’s Cincinnati/Dayton Division.

Madlinger replaces Geoff Covert, who was named senior VP retail operations for the Cincinnati-based grocery chain earlier this month. She has been VP merchandising for the Cincinnati/Dayton division since 2006.

Hong Kong -- Li & Fung Ltd., the biggest supplier to Wal-Mart Stores said Friday that it may increase acquisitions in China as the country’s consumer spending grows, U.S. demand rebounds and inflation propels companies to seek partners.

Li & Fung president Bruce Rockowitz told Bloomberg that it may buy Chinese companies in the fashion, cosmetics and furniture industries in the next three years. He also said it will increase purchases in the United States, Europe and Japan.