OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

RadioShack CEO Joe Magnacca steps down
New York -- Joe Magnacca has stepped down as CEO of RadioShack. Magnacca made the announcement on Wednesday in an internal memo to employees, according to the Dallas Business Journal. It came a day after Standard General was given the green light by a bankruptcy court judge to acquire RadioShack’s assets.
Changing of the guard at RadioShack; former Dell exec to head chain
New York -- A former executive of Dell Inc. has been tapped as the new CEO of RadioShack. Standard General, the hedge fund that bought 1,743 of the chain’s stores in bankruptcy court proceedings, has appointed Ron Garriques as the new head of RadioShack.

Garriques headed Dell's consumer and communications divisions and previously worked at Motorola Inc. He replaces Joseph Magnacco, who resigned Wednesday after two years as CEO.

Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy to open its 30th store

Boulder, Colo. -- Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy will open its 30th store, in Los Altos, California, on May 2.

Part of the company’s aggressive strategy to expand throughout the Western region, the new store is its third location to open in 2015 and follows three store openings in 2014. Pharmaca has plans to open an additional location in Colorado mid- to late 2015.
Saks: Changes at the top as company veteran Marc Metrick named president

New York -- There’s been a change at the top at Saks Fifth Avenue. On Thursday, Saks parent company Hudson’s Bay Company announced that company veteran Marc Metrick, 41, is replacing Marigay McKee as president of Saks Fifth Avenue, effective April 2, 2015. It’s a return of sorts for Metrick, who is HBC’s executive VP and chief administrative officer. He spent the first 15 years of his career at Saks Fifth Avenue, ultimately becoming its chief strategy officer, before joining the leadership team of HBC in 2012 as chief marketing officer.
McDonald’s to raise pay; offer paid leave, educational help

Oak Brook, Ill. - McDonald’s USA has decided to give employees a break, in the form of higher pay, paid time off and educational assistance. McDonald’s is raising starting wages at company-owned restaurants in the U.S. one dollar more than the locally-mandated minimum wage, as of July 1.
Staples pledges to end gender wage gap

Framingham, Mass. - Staples has signed onto “100% Talent: The Boston Women’s Compact,” an effort to end the gender-based wage gap and advance women in the workforce. Staples has pledged to work with Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh in a public-private partnership to make Boston the best city in the country for working women.
Cub Foods deploying disability-friendly shopping carts
Report: Wal-Mart seeks lower supply chain costs, expanded grocery

New York – Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is reportedly asking suppliers to cut their product costs and also seeking to expand its grocery business. According to the Wall Street Journal, Wal-Mart is recommending that suppliers forego investing in joint marketing programs with the retailer and use that savings to reduce the price Wal-Mart pays for their goods.
Walmart CEO takes firm stance against ‘religious freedom’ bill in Arkansas

New York – Arkansas native and Walmart president CEO Doug McMillon has taken a firm stance against a “religious freedom” measure passed by the Arkansas House on Tuesday. The bill (HB1228) is similar to the one that has kicked up a firestorm in Indiana.
Obama creates sanctions for cybercriminals

Washington, D.C. – President Barack Obama has signed an executive order creating sanctions for cybercriminals who engage in crimes against the U.S. from foreign locations. The order allows the U.S. to impose sanctions on individuals who harm critical infrastructure, damage computer systems, or steal trade secrets, and sensitive information through cyberattacks based outside the U.S.

The order does not specify what type of sanctions can be imposed.