OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

Publix names senior VP of retail ops, plus two new VPs
Publix Super Markets continues to make news on the executive front.
Former RadioShack CEO, Walgreens exec to lead Massage Envy
Massage Envy, a subscription-based massage and skincare services provider, on Monday named Joseph Magnacca as CEO, succeeding Dave Crisalli who will continue to serve the business as a member of its board.

Magnacca most recently served as CEO of RadioShack. Prior to that he was executive VP and president of Daily Living Products and Solutions for Walgreen Co., where he oversaw all of Walgreen's marketing and merchandising operations across more than 8,000 stores.

Former Sports Authority exec lands tasty CIO role

Veteran retail information technology executive Kathy Persian is the new CIO at a leading integrated food retailing company.

The Schwan Food Company named Kathy Persian senior VP and CIO with responsibility for the strategic direction and execution of the company’s information services department.
Sally Beauty predicts improved store operations

Sally Beauty Supply is applying analytics to the literal consumer touchpoint where revenues are made -- the point of sale.

Sally Beauty is teaming up with prescriptive analytics provider Profitect Inc. to analyze sales and other data recorded at its in-store POS terminals. After a two-week implementation, Sally Beauty now has better insight into trends and patterns associated with areas of leaking profit, including shrink, damage, costing errors, waste, process mistakes, and lack of training.
Lowe's goes on seasonal hiring spree

Temperatures might be at a bitter low across the country, but it's that time again for big-box home improvement stores.

Lowe's announced today that it's getting ready to hire 46,000 seasonal employees to help with the busy spring and summer season.
Sticker shock: E-commerce fulfillment costs rising

Recent rate increases for shipping services by UPS and FedEx and the pending Jan. 17 rate increase for U.S. Postal Service (USPS) shipping services, are challenging businesses -- especially small retailers and e-retailers -- to look for new and innovative solutions to optimize their shipping operations, according to Pitney Bowes.

Here is an update from Pitney Bowes on the latest increase by each major carrier:

UPS
• On December 28, 2015, the rates for UPS Ground services increased an average net 4.9%.
Amazon in first move to take on FedEx, UPS?

Amazon is on track to acquire the 75% of the French package-delivery company Colis Privé that it doesn’t already own during the first quartet, according to the Seattle Times. Some analysts believe it’s only the beginning of a move by the Internet giant to eventually launch a package-delivery service that will one day compete with UPS, FedEx and others. [Seattle Times]
Review: State of the Union address

On Tuesday, President Obama delivered his seventh and final State of the Union address to the Congress. Unlike the previous six, this was not a long list of policy agenda items he would like to see the Congress address in the coming year. It was, instead, a broader conversation regarding the state of American democracy.
QVC exec joins GS1 US board

QVC chief information officer Linda Dillman has joined the board of the GS1 US supply chain information standard organization.

GS1 US is a supply chain information standards organization.

Dillman will help guide the GS1 US strategy for driving the adoption and usage of the GS1 System of Standards in e-commerce. The standards uniquely identify products, services and locations globally. They are designed to assist in enhancing the consumer shopping experience while boosting online retailer efficiency, revenue and loyalty.
Guitar Center creates merchandising harmony

Operating multiple brands and channels, Guitar Center has struggled in recent years with merchandising challenges such as omnichannel retailing, branding and selling a mix of new and used products.