OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

Square thinks big
Proposed Revisions to Overtime Exemptions: The Impact on Retail
The Department of Labor’s long-awaited proposed revisions to the “white collar” overtime exemptions are finally here – at least, in part. On June 30, 2015, the DOL unveiled its proposed revisions to the required salary levels for many of the “white collar” exemptions to the FLSA’s overtime requirements.(The FLSA establishes minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and youth employment standards affecting employees in the private sector and in Federal, State, and local governments.)

RPAI shuffles execs, realigns platform

Oak Brook, Ill. - Retail Properties of America Inc. (RPAI) is shuffling some executives as part of a strategic realignment of its operating platform geographically between the eastern and western regions of the country. Timothy Steffan, former senior VP, asset management and commercial leasing for Macerich's eastern region, has joined RPAI as divisional president – eastern region.
Wal-Mart accused of same-sex bias in lawsuit

New York -- Wal-Mart Stores is the subject of a lawsuit accusing it of wrongly denying employee benefits for same-sex spouses, Reuters reported. The lawsuit seeks nationwide class-action status.
Gymboree loses COO to Sears

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Holdings had tapped a Gymboree exec as president and put her in charge of Sears’ Shop Your Way loyalty program.

Sears is using the program to align its online and offline operations.
Changing of the guard at Guess

Los Angeles -- The chief executive of Guess is stepping down.

Guess co-founder Paul Marciano announced that he will be succeeded as CEO of the apparel maker by former Inditex executive Victor Herrero in August. Marciano will continue to serve as chief creative officer, and will also replace Maurice Marciano as executive chairman.

Herrero, a 12-year Inditex veteran, served as head of Asia Pacific for the apparel conglomerate, whose brands include Zara. He is credited with building the company's multi-million dollar Asian business.
Starbucks launches big jobs initiative — with a little help from its friends

Chicago -- Starbucks Corp. is ratcheting up its already significant commitment to job creation.

The coffee giant is teaming up with such other retail powerhouses as Walmart, CVS Health, Walgreens, Macy’s, Target and J.C. Penney in an ambitious jobs program to hire 100,000 16- to 24-year-olds "who face systemic barriers to jobs and education" by 2018 through apprenticeships, internships, training programs, and both part-time and full-time jobs.
Casey’s prepares for CEO transition

Ankeny, Iowa - Casey’s General Stores Inc. is set to have its first new CEO in more than a quarter-century. After more than 26 years with the company, Robert J. Myers, chairman and CEO, will retire as CEO at the end of the 2016 fiscal year on April 30, 2016.
More customers, fewer profits?

Retailers are investing heavily in their supply chains in order to cope with surging e-commerce volumes, but customer experience enhancements must be planned carefully if profitability is to be maintained.
Report: eBay may have more deals up its sleeve

San Jose, Calif. – The upcoming spinoff of its PayPal unit may not be the only deal eBay Inc. has in the works.

According to Reuters, eBay is in advanced talks with private equity firm Thomas H. Lee Partners LP to acquire eBay’s enterprise business for close to $1 billion.