OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

DD’s Discounts president departs
Dublin, Calif. - Doug Baker, who served as president and chief merchandising officer of Ross Stores’ DD’s Discounts division since 2011, is leaving the company. A specific reason has not been given.

The senior merchandising executives at DD’s Discounts will report to Ross executive chairman Michael Balmuth while the company conducts a search to fill this position.
Office Depot selects Capgemini to drive tech migration
Boca Raton, Fla. - Office Depot Inc. is obtaining a little outside assistance with integration resulting from its merger with OfficeMax. Office Depot has selected Capgemini to drive critical technology migration and finance and accounting services resulting from the merger.

Lowe’s Canada to open 25 new stores

Toronto – Lowe’s Canada plans to open 25 new stores in Canada during the next three years. This includes three new stores set to open later this year in Lethbridge, Saskatoon and Sault Ste. Marie
Report: China criticizes Alibaba for fake merchandise

Hangzhou, China – The Chinese regulatory agency State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC) has reportedly criticized Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. for not making enough effort to prevent the sale of counterfeit items on its e-commerce platform. According to the Wall Street Journal, the SAIC issued a report starting Alibaba offers insufficient product information and does not use an effective system to rank sellers.
Rite Aid to build its first new DC in 15 years

Camp Hill, Pa. -- Rite Aid Corp. announced plans to build its first new distribution center in 15 years, a 900,000-sq.-ft. facility in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

The new, $90 million center, set to open in 2016, will employ nearly 600 people after it becomes fully operational and will support the inventory and fulfillment needs of approximately 1,000 Rite Aid stores in the southeastern United States.
Report: Sears cuts 115 corporate jobs

New York -- In its ongoing efforts to reduce costs, Sears Holding Corp. is cutting jobs.

The struggling retailer will cuts 115 jobs, including 100 at its Hoffman Estates, Illinois, headquarters, the Chicago Tribune reported.
Ranks of C-stores continue to swell

New York -- Small formats are all the rage in retail these days, so no wonder the latest data from Nielsen shows 2014 was another year of record growth.

The U.S. convenience store count increased to 152,794 stores as of Dec. 31, a nearly 1% increase from the year prior, according to the 2015 NACS/Nielsen Convenience Industry Store Count.
RILA to testify at Congressional data breach hearing

Arlington, Va. - The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) will testify Tuesday, Jan. 27 at the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade hearing, “What are the Elements of Sound Data Breach Legislation.” In his testimony, Brian Dodge, executive VP at RILA, will focus on retailers’ priority of supporting a strong preemptive federal data breach law that allows for reasonable and clear notice triggered by potential customer harm.
Sports Authority names former Pep Boys exec as chief marketing officer

New York -- Ron Stoupa, a former Pep Boys and Bass Pro Shops marketing executive, has been appointed executive VP and chief marketing officer of, Sports Authority.

Stoupa will be responsible for leading the strategic development and oversight of the company’s marketing plans. The Englewood, Colorado-based company operates 466 locations throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
Sears Canada makes acting CEO permanent

Toronto – The board of directors of Sears Canada Inc. has named Ronald D. Boire as president and CEO. Boire has served as the company's acting president and CEO since Oct. 15, 2014.

Prior to his role with Sears Canada, Boire was executive VP, chief merchandising officer and president, Sears and Kmart Formats, Sears Holdings Corp. Prior to joining Sears Holdings in January 2012, Boire was president and CEO at Brookstone, a position he held from October 2009.