OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

NRF urges president to step into West Coast port issue
Washington, D.C. - The National Retail Federation asking President Obama to step into continuing labor unrest at the nation’s West Coast ports. The NRF has issued a statement its president and CEO, Matthew Shay, following reports that the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and Pacific Maritime Association are taking a break from contract negotiations.
Gordmans names Carters exec as merchandising head
Omaha, Neb. – Gordmans Stores Inc. has named Lisa Evans as executive VP and chief merchandising officer effective Jan. 5, 2015. Evans was most recently the executive VP and brand leader for children’s apparel brand Carters, and previously was senior VP and general merchandising manager with Macy's. Evans’ earlier experience included a variety of senior merchandising leadership roles with the Kaufmann's and Foley's divisions of the former May Company.

Aldi goes into high growth mode; will open 650 U.S. stores by end of 2018

BATAVIA, Ill. - Deep-discount grocer Aldi is ramping up its U.S. expansion. The company plans to open 650 new stores across the country, including expanding to Southern California, bringing its total number of U.S. stores to nearly 2,000 by the end of 2018.
Walmart in huge solar project; 400 systems over four years

BENTONVILLE, Ark. - Walmart is making a major investment in solar energy, with plans to install up to 400 new solar projects at stores and facilities across the nation during the next four years. The retailer has tapped two solar energy providers for the installations, SolarCity and SunEdison, following an RFP process.
Incoming Gap CEO names new heads of Gap and Banana Republic brands

New York - Gap Inc.'s incoming CEO, Abe Peck, is wasting no time putting his own stamp on the company, naming new presidents for the Gap and Banana Republic brands. Jeff Kirwan, 48, has been tapped to replace Stephen Sunnucks as global president for Gap. And Owen, 49, will succeed Jack Calhoun on Jan. 5 as global president for Banana Republic.
Tractor Supply store support center gets LEED certification

Brentwood, Tenn. – The new Tractor Supply Company store support center in Brentwood, Tennessee, has achieved LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED certification is awarded for buildings that are energy efficient and environmentally sustainable in design and operation.
H.J. Martin & Son completes major project for Burlington

Green Bay, Wisconsin - H.J. Martin announced it has completed a major project for national retailer Burlington Coat Factory. The project primarily consisted of fixture installations in 49 stores across the continental United States as part of a remodeling of Burlington’s home and accessories departments.
Kohl’s honored with green power award from EPA

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wisconsin - Kohl’s Department Stores has once again been recognized with a 2014 Sustained Excellence in Green Power Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Hudson’s Bay Company names former Kohl’s exec as CIO

Toronto — Hudson’s Bay Company announced the appointment of Jon K. Nordeen to the position of CIO, effective November 2014.
Nordeen joins HBC with more than 25 years of information systems and management experience. Most recently, he served at Kohl’s Department Stores in several roles including executive VP merchandise planning, executive VP administration, and executive VP CIO.
Former legal head returns to Lowe’s

Mooresville, N.C. - Ross W. (Bill) McCanless will be joining Lowe’s Companies Inc. as general counsel, secretary and chief compliance officer, effective Jan. 12, 2015. McCanless will replace Gaither M. Keener, who announced plans to retire from the company following 30 years of service.