OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

Panjiva: U.S. imports down in September
New York –- Imports to the U.S. were down in September from August, but still there was a measurable year-over-year increase. Sept. 2014 showed levels of imports 7% above imports in Sept. 2013.
Snagajob: Seasonal retail workers average $10.30 per hour
Richmond, Va. -- Employers in the hospitality industry will pay the highest average wage for holiday employees at $11.80 per hour, followed by retail at $10.30, and food service at $9.40, according to a survey by Snagajob, which provides recruitment and hiring solutions to the hourly industry.

Gap continues global expansion with first Old Navy stores in the Middle East

San Francisco -- Gap Inc. announced it has signed agreements to open Old Navy stores in six Middle Eastern countries with franchisees Fawaz A. Alhokair & Co. and Azadea beginning spring 2015. The first markets include U.A.E., Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. This is the second franchise market expansion for Old Navy. In March of this year, the brand opened its first franchise-operated stores in the Philippines.
Golfsmith International opens at Downtown Summerlin

Las Vegas -- Golfsmith International, the world's largest specialty golf retailer, has opened a 23,000-sq.ft. store in the just-opened Downtown Summerlin center, located outside of Las Vegas.
Sam’s Club to offer private health insurance exchange targeted at small business owners

By Mike Johnson Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores continues to expand its health care offerings with the announcement that its Sam's Club division will launch a private health insurance exchange for its small business members. Sam’s Club is partnering with insurance giant Aetna on the initiative.
CVS/pharmacy awarded LEED Platinum for store in New Haven, Conn.

Woonsocket, R.I. -- CVS Health said that the CVS/pharmacy store in West Haven, Conn., has been awarded LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum certification. It the first CVS store to be certified with the U.S. Green Building Council’s highest distinction and the retailer’s eighth LEED-certified building. 
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.
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.