OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

Report: Kroger asks alcohol producers to pay for shelf space
Kroger is changing the way it organizes beer, wine and liquor on its store shelves by asking a private distributor to charge alcohol companies for placement, according to a report from Time magazine. (Time)
New service brings home delivery to some Kroger customers
While Kroger has been offering a click and collect service at certain stores for about two years, outside of the Denver market home delivery has not been available. A new service aims to change that for some Kroger shoppers in its hometown of Cincinnati. [Cincinnati Business Courier]

More Google drone details come to light

Google is being secretive about its “Project Wing” delivery drone program, but a patent filing gives some additional information about the effort. According to Fast Company, Google hopes to use remote wheeled delivery receptacles that will automatically guide drones to drop their packages. The receptacles will then complete the delivery on the ground. [Fast Company]
How far have retailers come with EMV?

The intense focus directed on EMV compliance in fall 2015 has faded, but it is still a critical issue for the retail industry.

Away from the spotlight, progress in EMV compliance since the Oct. 1, 2015 mandate passed has moved more slowly than many in the industry may realize. According to a survey of 200 retail professionals conducted during the January 2016 NRF Convention by ACI Worldwide, the majority of respondents are not compliant.
Report: Wendy’s suffers possible data breach

Fast-food chain The Wendy’s Co. may be the first big retailer to suffer a public data security incident in 2016.

According to the Krebs on Security blog, Wendy’s is investigating possible fraudulent activity related to credit cards used at some of its store locations. Wendy’s was notified earlier this month by partners in the payment industry that unusual activity was occurring.
Walmart bottled water convoy heading to Flint

Walmart and three of the nation’s largest bottled water suppliers are coming to the aid of Flint, Michigan, residents who lack access to safe drinking water after the municipal water supply became tainted with lead.

Walmart, Coca-Cola, Nestlé and PepsiCo are sending 176 truckloads of water to Flint – roughly 6.5 million bottles – which is an amount estimated to meet the daily needs of more than 10,000 children for the rest of the year.
Buckle exec retires with 40 years under her belt

Patricia Whisler played a key role in the success of The Buckle but now she is stepping down from a key role in the apparel and accessories retailer’s merchandising organization.

The Buckle, Inc. has announced that Whisler, senior VP of Women’s Merchandising, will retire from her position with the company later this spring.
HBC CEO honored as 'father of the year'

The leader of Hudson's Bay Company is also being recognized for his leadership on children's causes.

HBC CEO Jerry Stotch has been honored as a 2016 “Father of the Year.”
Popular supermarket is a victim of the blizzard

It looks like Trader Joe’s in Westfield, New Jersey, has taken its final curtain call — at least for a while.

The supermarket, which is located in the upscale town’s thriving downtown area, fell victim to the blizzard that walloped New Jersey on Saturday, as part of the roof collapsed, which caused the exterior walls to buckle into the middle of the building.
Hy-Vee executive honored by GMA

The Grocery Manufacturers Association has recognized the CEO of Hy-Vee Inc. with a collaborative leadership award.

Randy Edeker, chairman, CEO and president of Hy-Vee, Inc. was honored ths month with the GMA 2016 Industry Collaboration Leadership Award. Hy-Vee operates 240 stores throughout eight predominantly Midwestern states.