OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

Retail vet Michael Rayden, CEO of tween-brand Justice, to retire in January
Mahwah, N.J. -- Michael Rayden, president and CEO of Ascena Retail Group’s tween apparel brands Justice and Brothers, and a member of the Ascena board, is retiring at the end of Jan. 2015. Ascena has tapped Herbert Mines Associates to start a global search for a president and CEO of Justice and Brothers.
Great American Group selected as stalking horse bidder for Alco stores
Los Angeles --Great American Group has been selected as a stalking horse bidder in the potential liquidation of Alco Stores, which operates 198 general merchandise discount stores in 23 states. Great American is a leading provider of asset disposition and auction solutions, advisory and valuation services, capital investment, and real estate advisory services.

The Finish Line names Sato president

Indianapolis -- Samuel M. Sato, formerly president, Finish Line brand, has been named as president, The Finish Line Inc. The board of directors also elected him to the board, filling the Class II director position previously held by Bill Kirkendall.
Crocs shuffles management team

Niwot, Colo. -- Crocs Inc. is enacting several key management changes, including the appointment of Bob Munroe to general manager of Crocs Americas region; Greg Sullivan to the new role of senior VP of global business transformation; Scott Yuan to general manager of Greater China; and Michelle Poole to senior VP of global product creation and merchandising.
Report: Sears clerk steals $3.7 million in merchandise

Hoffman Estates, Ill. –- An inventory clerk at a Sears Holding Corp. distribution center in Logan Township, N.J., has reportedly been arrested for stealing merchandise worth $3.7 million in retail value and selling it for both cash and bartered services to a network of individuals in the tri-state area. According to the New Jersey Star-Ledger, following an investigation by Sears loss prevention officials and local and county police, Kim Watson, 32, was arrested on Friday, Oct. 17.
NRF and others urge quick resolution to labor negotions on West Coast ports

New York --A group of 104 national, state and local organizations--representing farmers, manufacturers, retailers, transportation providers and others--signed a letter urging the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) “to quickly conclude a new labor agreement...to allay growing concerns of thousands of businesses who rely on West Coast ports for orderly and timely supply chain operations.”
Home Depot promotes Marc Powers to U.S. stores head

Atlanta -- The Home Depot announced that it has named Marc Powers executive VP, U.S. stores, effective Nov. 1, 2014. He replaces Marvin Ellison, who was recently named president and CEO designee of J.C. Penney Co.
Survey: Data breaches scare away customers

Austin, Texas -- Almost half of Americans are likely to avoid shopping at stores that were affected by data breaches in the past year. According to a new CreditCards.com report, 45% of major credit and debit card holders say they would “definitely” or “probably not” shop at a retailer where consumers’ personal information (including credit and debit card data) was exposed.
West Elm to open in Washington, D.C.

New York -- West Elm, a division of Williams-Sonoma, will open a store in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, Oct. 23rd. Located in Logan Circle, the more than 14,500-sq.-ft. store will feature a curated selection of products made by artists located in the D.C. area through West Elm’s Local initiative, which taps into local entrepreneurship.
RadioShack offers mobile repair service in 26 Chicago stores

Fort Worth, Texas -- RadioShack's Fix It Here same-day mobile repair service is now available in 26 stores in the Chicago area. Services include repairs for cracked screens, broken buttons and damaged charging ports.