OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

Washington, D.C. -- Online shopping is showing rapid growth compared to the rest of the retail trade sector, with the number of establishments growing 27.4% between 2011 and 2012, according to new U.S. Census Bureau statistics released today. Drawn from County Business Patterns: 2012, the new data provides the only detailed annual information on the number of establishments, employees and payroll for nearly 1,200 industries at the national, state and county levels.

Bentonville, Ark. – Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has reportedly been given a May 30 deadline to settle a labor dispute in the Chinese city of Changde. According to the Wall Street Journal, Changde officials want Wal-Mart to reach an out-of-court settlement with workers at a store there which is scheduled to close.

Phoenix -- PetSmart has named Phil Bowman to the position of executive VP of customer experience effective June 30. He will report directly to David Lenhardt, president and chief executive officer of PetSmart.

Bowman has extensive experience in brand-building, digital marketing, ecommerce and customer data analytics, as well as the creation of an integrated customer experience. Most recently, he served as chief marketing officer at TD Ameritrade, one of the world’s largest online securities brokerage companies.

Woonsocket, R.I. – CVS is launching Specialty Connect, a specialty prescription services program that allows to bring their specialty prescriptions to any CVS/pharmacy location, as a complement to existing specialty pharmacy processes.  

Mooresville, N.C. – Lowe’s has released its 2013 Corporate Sustainability Report, which highlight its efforts to promote the well-being of its employees, its communities and the environment. The report includes Lowe's first set of public sustainability goals, which establish new targets for energy use, carbon emissions and waste for the year 2020.

By 2020, Lowe’s aims to achieve the following milestones for energy use, carbon emissions and waste, measured against a 2010 baseline:

Minneapolis -- Target Corp. has formed a Digital Advisory Council as part of its efforts to accelerate its digital transformation. Target said the council will help guide the retailer’s omnichannel strategies and push it to innovate faster, and discover new ways to leverage technology to enhance the shopper experience – both online and in stores.

Brussels, Belgium - Dirk Van den Berghe has decided to resign from his role as CEO of Delhaize Belgium and Luxembourg effective July 31. Delhaize Group is announcing that Van den Berghe has decided to resign and accept a new role outside the company.

New York -- Legendary Los Angeles retailer Fred Segal is going global. The company, which was acquired by media and licensing company Sandow in 2012, plans to open up to 10 luxury retail lifestyle centers in the United States and across the world during the next five to 10 years. And leading the expansion will be its newly hired CEO, retail veteran Paul Blum, who most recently served as CEO of Juicy Couture. Prior to that, he served as CEO of David Yurman and Kenneth Cole Productions.