OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

Study: E-commerce fraud is declining — but the battle continues
E-commerce fraud as a percent of sales dollars may be on the decline, however losses still account for billions of dollars. This was according to the “Q1 2017 Global Fraud Index,” a report from Pymnts.com and Signifyd. The study measures and benchmarks innovations and trends that are reshaping the payments and commerce ecosystem.
Washington Spotlight: Big Wins for Retailers
As retail operators return to work this week after what was hopefully a busy Memorial Day weekend for them, they should be encouraged by some rare good news out of Washington, D.C. The industry had some big wins last week on very important issues. Republican House leaders wisely decided to remove language from the popular CHOICE Act that would have repealed the debit card swipe fee reforms the industry fought hard to pass in 2010.

Kitchenware retailer cooks up delivery service

A new partnership is helping Sur La Table take the term “farm to table” to a new level. Sur La Table is the go-to source for all things culinary — from cooking tools and kitchen gadgets to tableware. All it was missing was a way to be at their shoppers’ beck and call — and at a moment’s notice — as they prepared a stellar meal.
South African merchant improves in-store omnichannel fulfillment

Woolworths is taking steps to bolster its online shopping experience. Woolworths South Africa, a division of Woolworths Proprietary Limited, is known for its vast assortment ranging from groceries, fresh produce and prepared food to clothing, beauty products, home goods and general merchandise. As the company entered into the world of omnichannel, it knew it had to deliver easy access to its merchandise, and provide a painless experience for online customers.
Starbucks looks to boost minority businesses, train youth in two new locations

Starbucks is keeping good on its latest national initiative. The coffee giant said it will open a store in Dallas, in spring 2018, and Trenton, New Jersey, later this year, as part of its program to invest in at least 15 underserved communities across the U.S. by 2018. To date, Starbucks has opened six similar stores, including in Ferguson, Missouri, central Phoenix, and East Baltimore.
Office supplies giant still weighing takeover offer

Staples Inc. has rejected a buyout offer. The company turned down a takeover offer from Cerberus Capital Management, saying it was too low, Bloomberg reported. However, another private equity firm, Sycamore Partners, is still in the running to acquire Staples. The bid from Cerberus valued the retailer at more than its current market value of about $5.8 billion, according to Bloomberg.
Fast-casual chain reveals culprit of recent data breach

Chipotle Mexican Grill is coming clean about a cyber-attack that targeted the chain last month. An extensive investigation lead by leading cyber security firms, law enforcement and the payment card networks revealed that malware accessed payment card data used at point-of-sale (POS) devices at certain Chipotle and Pizzeria Locale restaurants between March 24 and April 18. Not all locations were involved, and the specific timeframes vary by location, according to the chain.
Retailers applaud reports regarding swipe fee reform

The retail industry's two major organizations are applauding reports that the House will drop efforts to repeal debit card swipe reform.
Footwear retailer improves ship-from-store service

Knowing efficient in-store fulfillment is key to omnichannel success, Browns Shoes has just taken a big step toward optimizing these orders. Browns Shoes, a family-owned business established in Montreal in 1940, owns and operates more than 60 retail stores throughout Canada. When the retailer merged its e-commerce channel with its brick-and-mortar operations, Browns was ready to use its retail network as another fulfillment avenue.
Beauty brand streamlines B2B gift card program

Sephora is all about offering top-notch service to its customers — even its business partners. According to the Incentive Research Foundation and Incentive Gift Card Council, business-to-business (B2B) gifting is becoming more prevalent across U.S. companies, as they spend $22.7 billion per year on gift cards. Sephora’s new partnership will enable the company to claim a bigger portion of this market share.