OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

Tech Guest Viewpoint: ‘Tis the Season to Get Interactive
In preparation for the holiday rush, retailers have begun the timely process of interviewing, hiring and training seasonal employees.
Sam’s Club elevates focus on food with merchant moves
Veteran Safeway merchant Toby Noiles has joined Sam’s Club in a senior role as the warehouse club operator creates a new organizational structure for its food and beverage business.

Noiles was named senior VP and general merchandise manager of grocery and beverage and joins Sam’s Club from the online grocery delivery company Fresh Direct where she served as chief merchandising officer. Noiles was with Fresh Direct only seven months but prior to that she spent 29 years with Safeway and held a wide range of merchandising roles.

Famed outdoors retailer names new CEO

L.L. Bean has gone outside the company for the first time ever to pick a chief executive. The outdoors retailer named the chief merchandising and marketing officer of a Walmart-owned Chinese e-commerce business as president and CEO, effective Feburary 2016. [ABC News]
Walmart exec assumes COO spot at Brookdale

The top executive over Health and Wellness of Walmart's U.S. division is leaving to join Brookdale Senior Living as its COO.

Labeed Diab will have responsibility for all aspects of Brookdale’s operations, including community and field operations, marketing and sales.
Amazon makes ultimate omnichannel move

Amazon’s first permanent physical store has opened in its hometown of Seattle and guess what? It looks a lot like the bookstores whose demise it facilitated.

In a letter to customers, the retailer announced the opening of the store located at 4601 26th Avenue NE in Seattle’s University Village on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Levi Strauss makes inventory connection

Levi Strauss & Co. is turning to the Internet of Things (IoT) as a solution to improve inventory visibility.

Levi’s is partnering with Intel to run a proof-of-concept of the new Intel IoT platform at three of the vertical apparel retailer’s stores. The pilot allows the Levi’s stores to gain visibility into what’s on the shelf or what might be running low. The goal is to make the process of inventory management more effective, maximizing in-stock and on-shelf availability of products.
Google delivery plans take flight
AutoZone updates leadership for growth

AutoZone is making some changes to its leadership as the company positions itself for growth and expansion.

The company announced the following promotions:

• Phil Daniele, VP, Commercial Support, promoted to senior VP, commercial
• Bill Hackney, VP, merchandise pricing & analysis, promoted to senior VP, merchandising
• Jim Griffith, VP, store development promoted to senior VP, store operations
• Rod Halsell, VP, distribution promoted to senior VP, supply chain
Whole Foods Market adds Target omnichannel guru to exec ranks

Whole Foods Market is adding a Target veteran with experience in technology and omnichannel marketing to its executive leadership team.

The grocery retailer announced that it has named Don J. Clark global VP of purchasing for non-perishables.

“He is a proven leader in the retail industry with a clear track record of delivering results. His core values align very well with our company’s, and we are confident that Don will execute a range of innovative strategies that help take our non-perishables business to the next level.”
99 Cents Only Stores has a new CFO

99 Cents Only Stores has appointed a new CFO who has been a veteran retail leader for Kroger and Albertsons.