OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

Sears cutting jobs; key digital exec to leave
Sears Holdings is reducing headcount as part of its ongoing effort to deliver $1.25 billion in annualized cost reductions. It's also losing a key online executive. Sears is eliminating some 400 full-time jobs at its corporate offices, in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, and from its support functions. In addition, certain positions at the chain's field operations will be impacted. The eliminated jobs represent less than half a percent of the 140,000 full-time and part-time employees Sears had as of the end of January.
Robots, humans to staff online giant's new fulfillment center
Amazon’s newest distribution center will use robotics to streamline operations. The online giant plans to open its second Colorado fulfillment center in Thornton. This will be the first Amazon Robotics facility in the Centennial State.

Fast-food giant turns to Snapchat to attract millennial job seekers

McDonald’s is leveraging a hot app to encourage teens to join its workforce. The fast food giant is embarking on an aggressive summer hiring spree that aims to employ 250,000 restaurant employees across more than 14,000 restaurants operating in the United States. Eager to get the attention of millennials — its sweet spot — McDonald’s is taking a new approach.
Online giant bolsters fulfillment fleet as it enters new territory

Amazon continues to expand its footprint of distribution centers. Amazon is set to break ground on its first fulfillment center in the state of Oregon. The 855,000-sq.-ft. facility, which will be located in Troutdale, will augment the company’s sortation center in Hillsboro, and Prime Now hub in Portland.
Report: Lowe’s outsourcing tech jobs

Lowe's is making another round of job cuts. The home improvement chain is laying off some 125 information technology workers and many of the jobs to India, The Charlotte Observer reported. Lowe’s currently employs approximately 1,000 people in information and technology and analytics in Bangalore, India.
Report: Supply chain key to omnichannel costs, revenue growth

An annual report provides an in-depth analysis of the front-burner issues facing America’s retail supply chains, and highlights tools and leading practices to compete in an evolving marketplace.
Study: Sales associates not well-equipped to perform job

Digital retailing is intensifying, yet retail associates still don’t have the technology they need to serve customers when they visit in-store. That's according to “The 2017 Retail Associate Technology Study,” from Salesfloor. The report, which surveyed 254 North American retail associates across a variety of product categories, compensation models and store sizes, explores the connection between store-level employees and the technology they use to serve customers.
Study: The most popular store credit card is...

A retailer that does nearly all of its transactions online has the most popular store credit card. Amazon wins the store card battle, ranking as the top choice among consumers with store cards (32%), followed closely by Target (30%) and then Macy’s (24%).
Study: Shoppers drawn to smart devices stay abreast of security

A majority of Americans want to use connected devices to make purchases, yet they are keeping a keen eye on securing personal data.
Bebe winds down brick-and-mortar operations

It’s closing time for Bebe Stores. The struggling apparel retailer said on Wednesday, June 7, that it reached agreement with substantially all of its retail store landlords to terminate their existing leases. The cost to terminate the leases is estimated to be approximately $65 million.