OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

Stratford Square Mall fights crime with Axis Network Cameras
CHELMSFORD, Mass. - Chicago-area Stratford Square Mall is relying on Axis Communications’ network cameras to protect public safety and minimize shoplifting during the holiday shopping season. Along with an increase in sales, the holiday season can also bring an increase in merchandise shrink, adding more incentive for mall managers to have eyes throughout the facility.
Staples makes shipping easier, cheaper
Framingham, Mass. – Staples Inc. aims to make shipping both cheaper and easier for frazzled shoppers this holiday season. Staples is offering 20% off shipping services through Dec. 23 with coupon, and an expanded selection of packaging and shipping supplies.

Food producer Systopia goes cashless

Irvine, CA – Food producer Systopia International has recently upgraded its payment technology within the dining area of its new Green Bay, Wis. facility. Working closely with in-house caterer Aramark, Systopia designed a cashless payment solution based upon using staff security RFID badges as the cashless credentials.
Report – FBI warns of catastrophic new malware

Washington, D.C. – The FBI is reportedly warning U.S. businesses of a catastrophic new malware that may have links to the governments of North Korea and/or Iran. According to Reuters, the malware has previously been used in destructive attacks against businesses in the Middle East and Asia, but was detected for the first time in the U.S. in a recent cyberattack that shut down corporate email for a week and damaged other systems at Sony Pictures Entertainment.
Report – Wal-Mart to eliminate 250 China jobs, open nine new stores in China

Bentonville, Ark. – Wal-Mart reportedly plans to improve efficiency in its China operation by eliminating 250 jobs, and also open nine new stores and a new distribution center in China by the end of 2014. According to Bloomberg, the positions that will be cut are mostly marketing and merchandising roles, along with some cuts in departments including tax and asset protection.
Amazon deploys robot armies in new-gen fullfillment centers

Seattle - Santa may have his elves, but Amazon.com has something better to help send holiday gifts on their way: a robot army. The online giant has deployed more than 15,000 robots in 10 next-generation fulfillment centers it has opened across the United States.
HSN names Fruit of the Loom exec Cornerstone president

St. Petersburg, Fla. - HSN Inc. has named Jeffrey Kuster as president of Cornerstone and executive officer of HSNi. Kuster, 48, has held various leadership positions in the apparel, fashion and retail industries, most recently as executive VP, chief marketing and strategy officer for Berkshire Hathaway's Fruit of the Loom.
Home Depot faces 44 breach-related suits

Atlanta – The Home Depot Inc. faces at least 44 lawsuits connected with a data breach that affected the retailer from April-September 2014. In a regulatory filing, the retailer said state and federal agencies are investigating the breach and more legal action is possible.
Chief merchandiser of Walmart out

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — The merchandising organization at Walmart is being transformed again following the departure of executive VP and chief merchandising officer Duncan Mac Naughton. His departure, in turn, served as the linchpin for several other high level moves.
Insights: The Abercrombie & Fitch employee religious accommodation case

By Veena A. Iyer, Nilan Johnson Lewis