OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

Jo-Ann Fabrics names new customer loyalty chief
Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores has named a new leader for its loyalty and customer relationship management programs.

Steve Miller joins Jo-Ann Fabrics from McKinsey & Company, where he served global clients as an engagement manager within the premier consulting firm’s marketing and sales practice. His work as a project manager afforded him the opportunity to gain experience across all functional areas in leading retail and consumer organizations, which includes building CRM and loyalty programs for Fortune 500 companies.
Study: EMV lags other payment security options
Retailers have yet to make a major move toward EMV compliance, but that doesn’t mean they are ignoring the need to secure card-based transactions.

According to a new special report from Boston Retail Partners, “Payment/Data Security in an Omnichannel World,” only 10% of retailers are performing EMV-enabled transactions that are working well, with another 12% saying their EMV-enabled transactions need improvement.

Senior Kroger exec retiring after 44 years

The Kroger Co.'s senior VP for retail operations and strategic initiatives plans to retire in April.

The company announced that Marnette Perry plans to retire on April 29, after 44 years with the company.
Kmart enters extreme value game with digital twist

Move over Big Lots and Ollie’s Bargain Outlet. Kmart is ready to begin making opportunistic purchases of closeouts and liquidated good in keeping with its strategic vision to make shopping fun again.

Kmart said its strategic merchandising group is actively sourcing extreme-value deals by purchasing the inventory of liquidated companies and capitalizing on other opportunistic situations to obtain outstanding products and offer unbeatable value.
Luxottica HR exec joins Jo-Ann Fabrics

Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores has added some human resources heft to its executive ranks.
Staples veteran named VP at Wayfair.com

Wayfair has named an e-commerce veteran from Staples to oversee supply chain and operations at the growing online retailer.

Wayfair announced that Sharif Sleiman has joined the company as VP of supply chain and operations.
Report: Walmart case could expand gay rights in workplace

Walmart is the target of a lawsuit that could provide an answer to the quesition as to whether anti-gay discrimination is a form of sex discrimination, according to Bloomberg. If a settlement isn’t reached in the case, which goes to mediation on Feb. 22, it will go to trial in federal court in Massachusetts.
Papa John’s delivers – on the back end

For pizza retailer Papa John’s International Inc., successful customer delivery begins with successful delivery in the supply chain.

Papa John’s is optimizing routes, improving on-time store deliveries and enhancing the performance of its transportation fleet by using transportation modeling capabilities from the Manhattan Associates Transportation Management Solution.
J.C. Penney gives two execs more private label, supply chain responsibilities

Two top merchandising and supply chain executives have been given new responsibilities at J.C. Penney after veteran executive Ken Mangone retired following a lengthy career.

Mangone served as executive VP of product development, design and sourcing and will retire effective April 1 after 39 years with the company. His responsibilities will be split among two current executives.
Hannaford accelerating store pick-up

The Hannaford grocery chain is expanding its online shopping service at a rapid pace and recently hit a significant milestone.

The Maine-based retailer recently opened its 25th location with Hannaford To Go. The service is the first of its kind in many regions. After piloting the program successfully in several stores, Hannaford opened 11 additional locations in the past year. The company plans to pursue an aggressive rollout schedule in 2016 as well, based on the success of the program and its popularity with customers.