OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

Merrillville, Ind.  – Buying club retailer DirectBuy is launching a new “My DirectBuy” member website. The relaunched e-commerce site includes personalized content recommendations and improved search, as well as a mobile-friendly design.

These enhancements came directly from ongoing research into consumer insights and by gathering feedback from members.

Imagine this scenario: You’ve worked hard to build a profitable business and you’ve done it the right way. You’ve taken every step to control the things you can control about every aspect of your company. You’ve got handbook policies regarding equal employment opportunity and prohibiting discrimination or harassment on any basis, and you have a diverse workforce that evidences your commitment to equal opportunity.

Bentonville, Ark. -- How important is Walmart to Tyco Retail Solutions Inc.? Important enough that Tyco has built a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to the giant retailer.

Located in Bentonville, Arkansas, the Walmart Retail Experience Center features a simulated retail environment and showroom where the retailer’s executives from around the globe will have access to resources and capabilities aligned to Walmart’s growing global footprint. It is Tyco’s first center built exclusively for one client.

Denver -- Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. is going on a hiring binge.

The chain will hold its first-ever “National Career Day,” on Sept. 9, with the goal of hiring 4,000 new employees.

In terms of employment, Chipotle is considered one of the more desirable fast-food chains, offering higher-than-average wages. In June, the company announced it planned to offer benefits previously available only to salaried workers to all employees, including full tuition reimbursements, sick pay, and paid vacation days.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. - Lynn Pendergrass has joined Sears Holdings Corp. in the new role of president, hardlines.

In this position, she will be responsible for working across the Kenmore, Craftsman & DieHard business unit and its hardlines partners, including home appliances, lawn & garden, tools, and Sears Auto Centers, to develop compelling offers and build customer relationships.

Pendergrass comes to Sears Holdings from Johnson & Johnson, where she served as worldwide chairman, consumer.

Greensboro, N.C. – The Fresh Market Inc. did not meet Wall Street expectations for profit or revenue in the second quarter of fiscal 2015. The grocer reported net income of $17.47 million, up 53% from $11.39 million the prior period.

Higher gross margin and pretax income drove profit growth. Net sales increased 5% to $442.1 million from $422.23 million, and same-store sales decreased 1%. The Fresh Market plans to open 18 new stores and remodel or refresh nine to 10 stores during the full fiscal year.

Livonia, Mich. - Pet Supplies Plus, a retail pet supply business with 320 stores in 25 states, positions itself as a smaller, convenient alternative to big-box competitors. Success requires proper product assortment always being available through all channels.

Issaquah, Wash. — A consumer lawsuit reportedly accuses Costco of knowingly purchasing shrimp from Thai providers that use slave labor and then misleading the public about the practice. According to the Puget Sound Business Journal, a California woman filed the suit in San Francisco federal court.