OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

Frederick’s of Hollywood files Chapter 11; closes all stores
Los Angeles -- Frederick's of Hollywood Group filed Chapter 11 after earlier closing all of its 94 remailing stores and entering into an agreement to sell its online business, inventory and intellectual property to Authentic Brands Group LLC for a reported $22.5 million.

Founded in 1947, the privately held retailer of sexy lingerie cited competition (it faced an especially formidable rival in Victoria’s Secret), decreased mall traffic and leases in its filing. It listed $36.5 million in assets and $106 million in debt.
Labor group seeks injunction against Walmart
Washington, D.C. - The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) is seeking an injunction from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) against Wal-Mart Stores Inc. relating to the closure of five stores due to alleged plumbing problems. The UFCW wants the NLRB to force Wal-Mart to rehire 2,200 store employees who are currently on paid leave while the stores are closed for what Wal-Mart says are necessary plumbing repairs.

Rite Aid names former Safeway executive as CIO

Camp Hill, Pa. - Steve Rempel, who spent 35 years in a variety of executive positions at Safeway, has been named Rite Aid’s senior VP and CIO. In this position, Rempel will have responsibility for all aspects of the company’s technology and information operations, including computer systems, network infrastructure, telecommunications and data security.
Report: Apple Pay may launch in Canada fall 2015

Cupertino, Calif. – Apple Inc. reportedly may launch its Apple Pay mobile payment service in Canada as soon as fall 2015. According to the Wall Street Journal, Apple is in negotiations with the six largest Canadian banks to roll out Apple Pay north of the border in November 2015.
Study: Retail breach exposure worsens

Mountain View, Calif. – It’s not just media hype – retailers’ exposure to data breaches really is getting worse. According to the 2015 Internet Threat Report from security technology provider Symantec, 11% of all data breaches Symantec recorded in 2014 hit retailers.

Only the healthcare industry represented a larger share of breaches. In addition, retailers provided a leading 59% of all identities revealed in breaches during 2014. Total breach incidents during the year rose 23% compared to 2013.
Staples names executive VP, merchandising

New York -- Staples said it has named Peter J. Scala as executive VP, merchandising, effective immediately. Scala will report to Demos Parneros, president, North American stores and online, and will be a member of the company’s executive committee.

Most recently, Scala served as senior VP of merchandising, online marketplace, leading the rapid expansion of Staples’ product assortment to support small and mid-size business customers.
Saks names former footwear VP as chief merchant

New York - Saks Fifth Avenue has named Tracy Margolies as chief merchant, effective May 11, 2015. Margolies will drive the strategic direction and performance of all buying activities for Saks, and will report to Marc Metrick, president of Saks Fifth Avenue.

Margolies rejoins Saks Fifth Avenue after serving as senior VP and general merchandise manager, beauty, contemporary 5F, footwear and handbags at Bergdorf Goodman. Previously, Margolies spent seven years at Saks as VP, division merchandise manager, women's footwear.
Cabela’s appoints Tractor Supply veteran to board

Sidney, Neb. - Cabela’s Inc. has appointed James F. Wright to its board of directors. Wright served as executive chairman of Tractor Supply Co. a farm and ranch supply retailer, from January 2013 through December 2013.
Dunkin’ Donuts to open 10 stores in Minnesota

Canton, Mass. – Dunkin’ Donuts has signed a multi-unit store development agreement with new franchise group Legacy Concepts LLC to develop 10 new restaurants in Minneapolis and the surrounding areas of Bloomington, Edina, Eden Prairie and the communities west of the metro area. The first restaurant is planned to open by the end of 2015.
Former Wal-Mart CEO Duke joins private equity firm

Former Walmart President and CEO Mike Duke talks with First Lady Michelle Obama at the quarterly meeting of member CEOs of the Business Roundtable on March 13, 2013. Photo credit: Walmart.

Washington, D.C. – Mike Duke, former president and CEO of Wal-Mart Stores, has joined global alternative asset manager The Carlyle Group. Mike Duke as an operating executive in the Global Consumer & Retail group. He began his duties in mid-April.