OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

Target will roll out RFID
Minneapolis – Target Corp. plans to roll out RFID-enabled “smart labels” later this year to aid inventory accuracy and improve in-store stock levels. In a corporate blog post, Keri Jones, executive VP, global supply chain and operations of Target, said the retailer is working with “key vendors” on a “fast paced timeline” to deploy RFID.
Former Albertsons president joins Digimarc board
Beaverton, Ore. - Richard King, former president and COO of Albertsons Inc., has been elected to the Digimarc board of directors. His 45 years of retail, consumer products and food industry experience will provide advice Digimarc expands its involvement in the retail industry with its barcode technology.

Rent-A-Center promotes two executives

Photo: Jonathan Parks
Honey Baked Ham consolidates, names new senior executives

Atlanta - Honey Baked Ham is consolidating three regionalized operating divisions, currently based in Georgia, Michigan and Ohio, and has also named two new top executives. The combined organization, The Honey Baked Ham Company LLC, will be headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia and will serve customers online and at more than 400 stores in 40 states across the U.S.
McAlister’s Deli to open new stores in Georgia, Florida

Alpharetta, Ga. - McAlister's Deli has signed three development agreements with new and existing franchisees to open restaurants in Southern Georgia and North, Central and Southwest Florida.

Existing franchisee DMAC 81 LLC, based in Summerville, South Carolina, plans to open several new restaurants between southern Georgia and northern Florida.
Dunkin’ Donuts seeks new franchise stores in Alabama, Mississippi

Canton, Mass. – Dunkin’ Donuts is recruiting franchisees to develop an estimated 10-plus new Dunkin' Donuts restaurants throughout Mobile, Alabama, and Biloxi and Jackson, Mississippi. In addition, a number of existing operating restaurants may be available for purchase.
Ralph Lauren board member resigns, consults with company

New York – Sean P. Murphy has been hired as a consultant to advise management regarding strategic and other business matters. As a result, Murphy has resigned from Ralph Lauren’s board of directors.

Murphy served on Ralph Lauren’s board since November 2005. He was the CEO of Christie’s International from September 2010 through December 2014. He previously served as the president and CEO of Rodale Inc. from 2002 to December 2009, and joined Rodale in 2000 as its president and COO.
Accenture expands retail practice with Javelin purchase, digital center

London - Accenture is expanding its retail practice with an agreement to acquire Javelin Group, a U.K.-based retail strategy consulting and digital transformation services provider. The acquisition will expand the capabilities of Accenture Strategy to help retailers and consumer brands accelerate their digital transformation.
RILA testifies on retail data security

Arlington, Va. – The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) is speaking out on retail data security. Brian Dodge, executive VP, communications & strategic initiatives, RILA, testified at the House Financial Services Committee hearing, “Protecting Consumers: Financial Data Security in the Age of Computer Hackers,” Thursday, May 14.
Albertsons taps industry vet Mark Panzer as senior VP of pharmacy, health and wellness

Boise, Idaho -- The parent company of Albertson's, New Albertson's and Safeway (collectively Albertsons), AB Acquisition LLC, has appointed industry veteran Mark Panzer as senior VP of pharmacy, health and wellness, overseeing the company's 1,760 pharmacies in 34 states across the country. Panzer succeeds Darren Singer, who has left the company to pursue other opportunities.