OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

Study: In-store pickup offers slower checkout
New York - Enabling shoppers to buy an item online and pick it up in a local store (BOPIS) is supposed to be a means of offering additional customer convenience. But according to a new study from business analytics firm StellaService, for BOPIS shoppers, 58% of their time in-store is spent at the checkout desk (3.1 minutes on average). For context, the checkout process for in-store shoppers is more expedient, representing only 15% of their in-store time (1.1 minutes).
Expert Advice: Avoiding Wage & Hour Class Actions
The statement “class action for wage and hour violations” has become an all too familiar phrase in the retail industry. The issue is also a dynamic one with constant changes from year to year, and even month to month. The bad news is that the number of wage and hour class actions filed on a daily basis continues to rise. According to the Economic Policy Institute, the number of FLSA (Fair Labor Standards Act) cases filed in the federal court is more than five times the number 20 years ago.

Study: Average data breach costs near $13 million

Ann Arbor, Mich. – Gas prices may be falling, but the price of recovering from a data breach is steadily climbing. According to a new study from authentication technology provider Duo Security, the average cost of data breach recovery reached $12.7 million in 2014, compared to $11.6 million in 2013 and $9 million in 2012.
Corner Bakery Café expanding in Virginia as it looks to double footprint

Dallas - Corner Bakery Cafe has signed a five-restaurant deal in Virginia with franchise partner Shahid Ali and operating partner Ibo Pinar. The stores will open throughout Richmond and Fredericksburg. Corner Bakery Cafe plans on doubling its national footprint of more than 180 stores in the next two years. To accomplish this goal, the retailer is adding new multi-unit franchise partners and currently has franchise agreements representing commitments for an additional 340 units.
Report: Minimum wage hikes to affect 1,400 Wal-Mart stores

Bentonville, Ark. – Minimum wage increases scheduled to take effect in 24 states and Washington, D.C. will affect employees at more than 1,400 Wal-Mart stores and 200 Sam’s Club in the U.S. According to CNN, Wal-Mart said it has less than 6,000 employees currently earning the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour and has already been planning to pay all employees more than the federal minimum wage.
Report – Labor Dept. investigates RadioShack retirement plans

Fort Worth, Texas – The U.S. Department of Labor is reportedly investigating how RadioShack has been managing its 401(k) retirement plans for employees. According to the Associated Press, the Department of Labor notified RadioShack of the investigation with a letter saying it is looking at the retailer’s management of retirement plans going back to 2011.
Season’s Greetings

Chain Store Age wishes everyone a safe and happy holiday! Our offices will be closed Wednesday, December 24th, Thursday, December 25th and Friday, December, December 26th. We will return to normal business hours on Monday, December 29th. We wish you and your family a joyous and peaceful holiday season!
Oracle names tech veteran as VP of Oracle Retail

Redwood Shores, Calif. - Jill Puleri will join Oracle Corp. as senior VP and general manager, Oracle Retail. Having held various leadership positions in sales, marketing and consulting, Puleri brings more than 20 years of experience in the retail industry, most recently serving as the worldwide retail industry leader for IBM Global Business Services. Puleri will be responsible for leading the Oracle Retail Global Business Unit and report to Mike Webster, Oracle's senior VP and general manager, retail and hospitality.
Staples breach may have exposed more than 1 million cards

Framingham, Mass. – About 1.16 million customer payment cards may have been exposed in a security breach at Staples Inc. earlier this year. In an update on the breach situation, Staples said that criminals deployed malware to some POS systems at 115 of its more than 1,400 U.S. retail stores, providing access to data from purchases made from July 20 through Sept. 16, 2014.
Five Trends That Will Impact Supermarket Retailers in 2015

Mark Dunson, Emerson Climate Technologies Supermarkets are utilizing data-driven approaches to offset a moderate economy, varying consumer behavior and the continued rise of online competitors. Achievement often depends on reacting well to difficult issues or, better, getting ahead of the next obstacles. There's no telling how the year will develop, but there are several clear challenges and opportunities for savvy supermarkets in 2015.