OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

Fremont, Calif. - StyleChat is a new, recently launched smartphone fashion app. The free app allows users to find the latest fashion trends from anywhere online.

Users can then create unique collections, style looks and mix-and-match pieces with items they already have. Consumers can also try on looks on their selfie, and when ready to buy, purchase with one tap.

Paris – Lacoste has selected Manhattan Associates' Enterprise Order Management solution to orchestrate its omni-channel retail operations and facilitate the company's continued growth. With Manhattan's technology, Lacoste intends to deliver a consistent brand and unified shopping experience to its customers.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. announced Wednesday that its former president and CEO Lee Scott will not seek re-election to the company’s board of directors.

As well, current board member Chris Williams will not stand for re-election to the board of directors at Walmart’s Annual Shareholders’ meeting on June 6.

Mississauga, Canada - Federal Express Canada Ltd. has reached an agreement with Home Hardware Stores Ltd. that allows individual dealer-owners the ability to house full-service FedEx Authorized ShipCenters within their stores. The FedEx Authorized ShipCenters will be rolled out across Canada in a series of implementation waves throughout the year.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. – Sears is offering a new service called Get Advice to members of its Shop Your Way omni-channel loyalty program. Shop Your Way members can post online requests for advice on shopping decisions and receive answers from both Sears associates and other loyalty members.

In addition to posting answers, members can also vote on answers they think are the most helpful. The service is designed to generate answers within minutes and currently is only open Shop Your Way members shopping at Sears and not Kmart.

Washington, D.C. -- The American Postal Workers Union will stage a protest in Staples stores across 27 states on Thursday, in objection to the office supply retailer’s opening of in-store postal counters staffed by Staples employees.

In 2013, Staples launched its postal pilot program, introducing in-store postal services that today includes about 80 stores. According to a report by the Associated Press, the union objects because the program replaces well-paid union workers with low-wage nonunion workers.

Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. - Timesly, a facial detection time clock app for iPad, has launched, allowing employees to clock in or out of work by snapping their photo using Timesly’s FaceCheck technology. Now available for download via the App Store, FaceCheck uses the iPad’s camera to detect and hone in on the user, adding their picture to a log of every photo ever captured of that person.

FaceCheck will soon include true facial recognition technology, at no additional cost.

Waconia, Minn. - Mackenthun's Fine Foods is rolling out a suite of nutrition tools through a partnership with ShopWell, a personalized nutrition app. Shoppers in Mackenthun's will be able to learn about the health benefits of foods, find healthier alternatives for their nutrition goals, and avoid allergens.