OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

Virtual product labels arriving on store shelves
Consumer packaged goods companies eager to keep pace with shoppers’ desire for product ingredient transparency have embraced a major initiative branded as SmartLabel.

SmartLabel is the name given to an initiative spearheaded by the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) that is designed to give consumers easy access to detailed information on ingredients and hundreds of other product attributes, such as whether food items contain ingredients from genetically modified sources.
DSW kicks into higher seamless gear
Designer Shoe Warehouse Inc. (DSW) is more closely connecting its digital and store channels, and using a little outside help to make it happen.

DSW has implemented eBay Enterprise in-store pickup and ship-to store in 467 stores. These new omnichannel fulfillment technologies augment the specialty footwear chain’s existing ship-from-store and dropship capabilities, also powered by eBay Enterprise.

Founder of Williams-Sonoma dies

The man who built a retail empire by inspiring a generation of shoppers to stock their kitchens with garlic presses and soufflé pans has died.

Charles E. “Chuck” Williams, founder and director emeritus of Williams-Sonoma Inc., died of natural causes over the weekend, the company announced. He was 100 years old.
Tech Guest Viewpoint: Mobile apps streamline inventory management

Your inventory is your biggest investment, and getting it right takes a lot of work. Customers don’t like seeing outdated inventory or empty racks. They don’t like having to ask, “Is there more in the back? and having the employee answer, “I’m not sure.” But keeping track of what’s coming in and going out isn’t always easy.
Report: Barnes & Noble's plans for the future involve a lot more than books

Barnes & Noble’s new CEO Ron Boire, who took the reins of the company in September, wants to transform the chain into a “lifestyle brand” by expanding its selection of toys, games, gadgets and other gifts, according to a report in The New York Times. [The New York Times]
Wonder how Amazon scores high in customer service? Read on

Amazon.com is noted for a focus on operational efficiency that is intense, to say the least. However, as the Seattle Times reports, Amazon consistently ranks near the top of customer service rankings by using customer service agents and technologies to ensure customer satisfaction, not rapid turnover. [Seattle Times]
Why retail CEOs are worried about climate change

The chief executives of H&M, Gap Inc. and five other apparel companies are urging world leaders to agree to a strong climate change deal because they fear global warming will drive up their costs by having a negative impact on cotton production, Reuters reported. [Reuters]
Survey: Retailers hiring more experienced holiday help and thinking long-term

Retailers are paying more and offering more incentives to secure experienced in-store help to increase sales

At least that’s according to a new survey by Korn Ferry Hay Group, a leading global hiring and organizational advisory firm.
Save-A-Lot taps grocery vet as CEO as it continues to prepare for possible spin-off

Save-A-Lot, the deep-discount division of grocery giant Supervalu, on Wednesday named a supermarket veteran with more than 30 years of experience as its new CEO. Eric Claus, 59, takes the reins of Save-A-Lot after spending the past two-plus years as chairman, president and CEO of Red Apple Stores Inc., a chain of value retail stores based in Canada.
Canadian menswear chain takes enterprising omnichannel approach

Harry Rosen, Inc., a 17-store, Toronto-based luxury menswear retailer, is making the back-end effort to offer a front-end omnichannel experience.

Harry Rosen has chosen the Jesta I.S. Omnichannel Retail Suite, including merchandising, planning, distribution, POS and mobile POS, financials and business intelligence. The retailer expects to centralize its operations on the Jesta I.S. Vision Suite, bringing the entire company onto a single, integrated retail platform.