OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

Bluemercury’s search for exceptionalism
Sephora and Ulta are successful retailers in their own right, but Bluemercury founder Barry Beck wants to chart a different growth path for the company Macy’s acquired earlier this year.

When Macy’s announced in February it was buying beauty retailer Bluemercury, a lot of watchers wondered what the little-known niche retailer could offer the nation’s second largest department store chain. The answer to that question lies in something the founder of Bluemercury calls “exceptionalism.”
Study: Millennials don’t want plastic
Physical credit cards may be going the way of DVDs and floppy disks.

According to new analysis from Bankrate.com cited by PayPal, 63% of millennials do not have a credit card. However, that does not mean they are abandoning credit-based purchases.

Millennials are now the fastest growing segment of PayPal Credit shoppers, rising to 33% of the total in 2015 up from 28% in 2013. Rather than shunning credit altogether, this influential group is turning to alternative credit services to help manage their finances.

Sears Holdings makes big moves on home front

Sears holdings has made a key acquisition to bolster its connected home effort and named a new executive to lead its home service division.

The retailer said it hired former Best Buy executive Sean Skelley as president of its Home Services division. Skelley spent 20 years at Best Buy but most recently served as senior VP of service solutions for Asurion, global provider of device protection and support services for smartphones, tablets, consumer electronics and appliances.
A familiar face returns to Tilly's as CEO

Teen apparel and footwear retailer Tilly's has tapped an executive who previously led the company to fill the shoes of Daniel Griesemer who stepped down as president, CEO and a member of the board effective Oct. 7.
Regional chain enters same-day delivery arena

Same-day delivery is a growing phenomenon, but so far has been the province of major national retailers.

Renton, Washington-based McLendon Hardware, which operates seven stores in Washington, is making a big move to same-day delivery for big items.
AutoZone shifts to new exec gear

The nation’s leading automotive specialty retailer realigned responsibilities among a trio of senior executives.
Changing of the guard at Ann Inc.

Ascena Retail Group named a new executive to lead its recently acquired Ann Inc. division.
NRF: When chips are down, you need a PIN

Chip-and-signature credit cards without a PIN won’t stop data breaches, at least not according to the National Retail Federation.

Although the new U.S. mandate for EMV-compliant chip-and-signature payment cards is now in effect, the NRF on Oct. 7 told Congress that new chip-and-signature credit cards without a PIN will not stop data breaches. What’s more, small businesses should not be pressured to install the equipment to accept them at the expense of more effective technology, according to the organization.
Former Walgreens senior operator to lead Fred’s store operations

Fred’s Super Dollar has named John Foley as the company's executive VP store operations, the company announced Wednesday morning. Mike Holligan, who formerly served in this capacity, will move to the open position of regional VP store operations.
TJX CEO to step down in January

The TJX Companies announced that chairman and CEO Carol Meyrowitz will step down, effective January 31, 2016.

She will be succeeded by Ernie Herrman, 54, who will retain his current title as president of the company. Meyrowitz, 61, who has been at the helm of TJX since January 2007, will become executive chairman of the company’s board at the time of the CEO transition.