OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

Report: EMV will double online retail fraud
A new survey reinforces what many already know: EMV makes in-store fraud much harder, but it drives would-be criminals online.

Based on the experience of other predominantly English-speaking nations that switched to EMV-compliant payment cards, terminals and processors, online retail fraud will more than double in the U.S.

According to a new infographic from online fraud prevention technology provider Trustev, online retail fraud will rise 106% in the U.S. in the first three years after the Oct. 1 EMV compliance deadline.
Study: Consumers not ready to pay with EMV
In the 1970s, Saturday Night Live had a cast of comedians that were called the “Not Ready for Prime Time Players.” In 2015, U.S. retailers have a cast of customers that could be called the “Not Ready for EMV Payers.”

Store Labor: A Retailer’s Biggest Asset

In a retail world focused on omnichannel strategies, product and service innovations, IT investments and technology-enabled stores of the future, winning retailers are taking a new look at their store labor models and budgets. Store associates represent one of the biggest contributors to the success or failure of brick-and-mortar stores. In many ways, they are a retailer’s most powerful asset.
Report: Target in new push away from tech outsourcing

Don’t assume that the layoff of 275 IT employees in August 2015 by Target Corp. means the retailer is reducing its focus on in-house technology operations. According to the Wall Street Journal, the layoffs actually set the stage for a big push away from IT outsourcing and toward hiring 1,000 new global technology workers.
Macy’s begins huge holiday hiring push

The workforce at Macy’s will swell by 50% in the coming month as the department store retailer looks to elevate service levels during the holiday season.

Macy’s said it plans to hire 85,000 workers, versus 86,000 last year, for temporary positions at its Macy's and Bloomingdale's stores, call centers, distribution centers and online fulfillment centers. The company had roughly 167,000 employees at the end of its fiscal year on Jan. 31, 2015.
Sears names Amazon vet to head fulfillment

Amazon.com is certainly known for its expertise in integrated fulfillment, and Sears Holdings Corp. is now tapping into that knowledge base.

Sears has appointed Girish Lakshman, who most recently served as VP of worldwide transportation strategy, technology and customer returns at Amazon, as president, fulfillment.

His new role will support the company's continued efforts to fulfill member and customers' needs and advance its integrated retail strategy.
RILA refutes claims of retailers lagging in EMV compliance

The Retail Industry Leaders Alliance (RILA) is refuting public claims about retailers lagging behind banks and card networks in transitioning to EMV compliance. Randy Vanderhook, executive director of the Smart Card Alliance, said in a San Diego Union Tribune article that although consumers have largely been issued EMV-compliant chip cards, retailers have not been activating terminals or completing chip migration.
Hudson’s Bay names digital exec

Hudson's Bay Co. has appointed Dion Rooney to executive VP, HBC digital. Rooney will be responsible for leading the HBC digital business and delivering online experience across all banners.

Rooney brings more than 30 years of senior experience in the IT field. Prior to joining HBC, Rooney served as CIO of Toys “R” Us, where he was instrumental in building a global state-of-the-art omni-channel offering. He has been developing e-commerce strategies and building digital businesses for more than a decade.
Major retailer CEO joins Yum Brands board

The CEO of one of America’s most prominent discount retail chains has joined the board of directors of quick service restaurant operator Yum Brands. Target CEO Brian J. Cornell, 56, is now a member of the Yum Brands board.
Smart & Final shuffles board

Smart & Final Stores Inc. is shuffling the membership of its board of directors. The discount grocer has elected Paul N. Hopkins and Kenneth I. Tuchman to the board.

Hopkins is the former chairman of the board of directors of insurance company Farmers Group Inc. and CEO of its Americas operations, including Latin America and shared services operations.