OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

Bi-Lo taps veteran Australian retailer as CEO
New York -- Bi-Lo Holdings, parent company of Bi-Lo, Harveys and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, has appointed veteran Australian retail executive Ian McLeod as president and CEO, effective March 2. He succeeds Randall Onstead, who will remain in place through March 2.
Vince Camuto, designer and co-founder of Nine West, dies at 78
New York -- Women’s footwear designer Vince Camuto, who co-founded Nine West Group and then went on to establish his own successful namesake clothing and footwear business, has passed away at the age of 78. Camuto died Wednesday at his home in Greenwich, Connecticut, after a battle with cancer.

In 1978, Camuto and Jerome Fisher founded Nine West Group, which they grew into a retail powerhouse. In 1999, the company was acquired by Jones Apparel Group for nearly $900 million.

Starbucks names former Microsoft and Juniper exec as president, COO

Seattle -- Starbucks Corp. has appointed Kevin Johnson as president and chief COO, effective March 1. He replaces the company's current COO, 23-year Starbucks veteran, Troy Alstead, who, as previously announced, will take a sabbatical beginning March 1. Over the next month, Alstead will work to immerse Johnson into his levels of responsibility as they work together to ensure a smooth transition.
Forever 21 lights up headquarters with rooftop solar panels

Los Angeles - Forever 21 has powered up a 5.1-megawatt (DC), high-efficiency SunPower solar power system at its corporate headquarters in Los Angeles. PermaCity Solar designed and installed the system.
Report: Family of comedian killed in crash settles claim with Walmart

New York -- The family of James McNair, the comedian killed in the automobile accident that also seriously injured comedian Tracy Morgan, has reached a financial settlement with Wal-Mart Stores Inc, Reuters reported.

The out-of-court settlement is the first legal resolution from the crash, which occurred on June 7, 2014, on the New Jersey Turnpike.

Terms of the settlement were confidential, according to the report, and Walmart did not admit liability in the settlement.
Survey: More than 50% of retailers not fully prepared for EMV deadline

Naples, Fla. -- With only nine months until the EMV migration deadline, retail and technology professionals are still unprepared, according to a recent survey by ACI Worldwide. The survey was conducted in January 2015 at the National Retail Federation’s 104th Annual Convention and Expo, “The Big Show,” in New York.

Principle findings of the survey included:
Ebay cutting 7% of workforce; exploring options for enterprise division

New York -- Ebay Inc. plans to cut about 2,400 positions, or 7% of its workforce, across eBay marketplaces, PayPal, and eBay enterprise in the current quarter to simplify its organizational structure.

The company also said it will explore strategic options for eBay enterprise, including a sale or an IPO.
Deckers promotes counsel to COO

Goleta, Calif. - Deckers Brands has appointed David E. Lafitte to COO, effective Feb. 2. Lafitte previously served as the company's general counsel.

He replaces Zohar Ziv, who retired from the company on Jan. 16, 2015.

Lafitte has served as general counsel of Deckers since January 2012 and also was a shareholder in the law firm, Stradling, Yocca, Carlson & Rauth, P.C. where he was a member of the firm's board of directors and executive committee.
Report: Whole Foods Market to open six new stores in Chicago

New York -- Whole Foods Market plans to open six new locations in Chicago, four of which will open in May, according to Crain’s Chicago Business.

The new stores will be located in former Dominick’s locations.

“We took the time to design and build a brand new store for each community that would offer not just a full-service grocery, but also a place to meet friends and share each other’s company,” said Michael Bashaw, president of Whole Foods Market’s Midwest Region, in a statement.
Lowe’s to hire 30,000 spring associates

Mooresville, N.C. - Lowe's Companies Inc. plans to hire approximately 30,000 seasonal employees at its stores in the U.S. during spring, which is typically the busiest time of year in the home improvement industry. Seasonal jobs are focused on customer service and include cashiers, lawn and garden employees, loaders, and stockers.