OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

NRF: Hiring managers value retail experience
Washington, D.C. - A majority of hiring managers across all U.S. industries view retail experience positively and value the foundational job skills that retail instills in its employees. According to the new “Retail’s Value on a Resume: How Jobs in Retail Prepare America’s Workforce for Success” study from the National Retail Federation (NRF), 69% of those surveyed said retail workers have the skills and qualities they look for when hiring.
Report: Target lays off 180 Indian workers
Minneapolis – The corporate restructuring that has led Target Corp. to lay off 17.600 Canadian workers and 2,200 U.S. workers has reportedly hit the retailer’s Indian operation. According to the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, Target has laid off 180 Indian employees and closed 125 open positons in India this week.

Target has pledged to eliminate several thousand positions, many from its corporate headquarters in Minneapolis, as part of a $2 billion restructuring plan instituted by CEO Brian Cornell.

Lumber Liquidators compliance chief quits

New York – Top management continues to leave Lumber Liquidators Holdings Inc. in the wake of accusations the retailer sold Chinese hardwood laminate products that had illegal levels of formaldehyde. Ray Cotton, chief compliance officer of Lumber Liquidators, has resigned from the company.
Ace Hardware promotes IT executive to VP

Oak Brook, Ill. – Ace Hardware Corp. has promoted senior director of IT business systems Rick Williams to the position of VP of information technology (IT). Reporting to Ace’s CFO, Williams, 49, will play an integral role in further driving strategic technology and systems management for Ace to shape business functions and deliver significant return on investments.
Riddle’s Group automates enterprise management

Montreal - Luxury jewelry retailer Riddle’s Group Inc. has selected the ChainDrive Fully-Integrated Retail Management platform from Multidev Technologies Inc. to improve store operations and to automate processes throughout.

Riddle’s Group sought out an end-to-end solution, and selected ChainDrive because of its extensive Jewelry Module which provides jewelry retailers with system features and functions that are tailored exclusively for the jewelry business.
CVS taps Hispanic market with launch of Y Mas stores in Miami

New York -- CVS/pharmacy is aiming to attract more Hispanic customers with its new "Y Mas" stores in South Florida, and the company hopes to expand its new brand nationally.

Twelve CVS/pharmacy y mas stores in South Florida, including 11 remodeled CVS stores and one brand new store, feature a fully bilingual staff, the addition of more than 1,500 trusted Hispanic products, more competitive pricing on hundreds of products, and new services unique to a national retail pharmacy.
Walmart renews commitment to associates, makes ‘significant’ change to name badges

Fayetteville, Ark. -- Walmart U.S. on Wednesday announced that it is making a small but “significant” change to its employee name badges as part of its renewed commitment to associates.

“I'm proud to say that we're bringing back ‘Our People Make the Difference’ on our badges. These words are just as important today, and to our future, as they ever were,” said Walmart U.S. COO Judith McKenna.
True Religion promotes interim VP to CEO

Vernon, Calif. - True Religion Apparel Inc. has named John Ermatinger CEO, effective immediately. Current CEO David Conn is stepping down.

Ermatinger has been serving as True Religion’s interim senior VP of global sourcing and production will build on the strategic initiatives that have been implemented since TowerBrook’s acquisition in July 2013 and will guide the company into its next phase of development.
Men’s Wearhouse names Bebe, Google veteran as digital head

Fremont, Calif. - The Men's Wearhouse, Inc. has named Ben Baum as executive VP and chief digital officer, reporting to Doug Ewert, CEO. In this newly created position, Baum will lead all digital and omnichannel commerce and initiatives across digital, mobile and emerging platforms.

Baum previously served as chief digital officer of Bebe Stores Inc.; head of business development, multichannel retail, shopping at Google Inc.; and several merchandising positions at Target, including women's apparel and segmentation merchandising.
NRF hires VP of research

Washington, D.C. - The National Retail Federation (NRF) is hiring Mark Mathews as VP of research development and industry analysis. Mathews will develop, evaluate and direct research initiatives for NRF’s Retail Research and Analysis Center, which was announced in April.

Mathews brings more than two decades of research strategy and management experience to his new post.