OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

Framingham, Mass. - Staples Advantage, the business-to-business division of Staples, has launched a Technology Recycling Service. The program, offered in partnership with Electronic Recyclers International Inc. (ERI) allows businesses of all sizes to recycle large volumes of electronics in a secure manner.

Staples Advantage’s new program allows businesses to recycle equipment – from cell phones and keyboards to telecom equipment and multi-function devices – via three steps:

1. Order recycling boxes online.

Goodlettsville, Tenn. - Paula A. Price, senior lecturer at Harvard Business School and former CFO of Ahold USA, has been named to the Dollar General board of directors effective Aug. 26. The election of Price to Dollar General’s board will bring the total number of directors to eight.

Deerfield, Ill. - Walgreens is expanding its healthcare clinic retail locations with entry into the Dallas-Fort Worth market. The company plans to bring 13 healthcare clinics at select Walgreens locations to the Dallas Metroplex by the end of 2014.

West Sacramento, Calif. -- NRG eVgo and Raley's Supermarkets are introducing the first electric vehicle fast-charging station at a retail location in Northern California that features both industry standard fast chargers: CHAdeMO and SAE Combo.

Located at Nob Hill supermarket in Mountain View, this Freedom Station is the first to incorporate the new SAE Combo fast charge standard being introduced on many new EVs at a Northern California retail location.

Hudson, Ohio – Travis Smith has resigned as president and CEO of Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores. Until a replacement has been identified, Jim Kerr, executive VP and CFO, will serve as Interim CEO of the company, while continuing in his current role as CFO.

The board of directors is undertaking a comprehensive search to identify a replacement. In his role as interim CEO, Kerr will partner with Riddi Kline, executive VP of marketing and merchandising, and Tom Williams, executive VP of operations and HR, to manage the business.

Tampa, Fla. -- Burger 21, founded by the owners of The Melting Pot Restaurants, has executed its first franchise agreement in Michigan, under which a debut restaurant in Ann Arbor will open summer 2015.

Additionally, the company signed two franchise agreements for single units in Ocala, Florida, and Raleigh, North Carolina. The new deals are part of the fast-casual concept's growth strategy to expand its presence in new and existing markets nationwide.

To date, Burger 21 has 13 open locations and 25 franchised restaurants in development.

St. Louis - Build-A-Bear Workshop Inc. has appointed Jennifer Kretchmar as chief product officer. Kretchmar will lead the company's merchandising and product development teams and will report to Sharon John, CEO of Build-A-Bear Workshop.

Charlotte, N.C. -- Southern department store chain Belk has promoted Jan Clevenger from chair of the company’s Western Division in Birmingham, Alabama, to the position of executive VP and general merchandise manager over Men’s, Home and Kids.

David Luoma has been promoted to succeed Clevenger in the Western Division chair position.