OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

Research Triangle Park, N.C. -- ChannelAdvisor Digital Marketing now offers support for Google Merchant Promotions so retailers can advertise special offers within Google product listing ads, and ChannelAdvisor’s new Portfolio Bidder predicts optimal bids to help maximize revenue for online retailers and manufacturers.  

San Francisco -- Gap Inc. highlighted its use of technology and innovation to bridge the growing digital world with its physical stores at the company’s annual meeting with investors. In new initiatives, the retailer is expanding its reserve in-store service to all U.S. Gap stores by the end of the second quarter, enabling online and mobile shoppers to now reserve items at more than 1,000 Gap and Banana Republic store locations.

Camp Hill, Pa. - Rite Aid pharmacy workers in 77 stores across the state of Michigan have voted to ratify a new, three-year agreement negotiated by United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 876, and the Rite Aid Bargaining Committee. The agreement guarantees 7% wage increases for all 792 union members; provides both pension and healthcare benefits; and preserves all current holiday, vacation and personal days.

New York -- Modell’s Sporting Goods announced it has hired Deborah Fine to fill a newly created role on its executive leadership team, chief commercial officer. Among other duties, Fine will head up the retailer’s digital strategy, transforming Modell’s into an Omnichannel retailer.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. – Several Sears Outlet stores across the country have new owners. Locations in Oceanside, Ontario, and Corona, Calif., are now owned by Tony Lutfi. Lutfi and his team now own and operate 11 Sears Outlet stores, 17 Sears Home Appliance Showrooms and three Sears Appliance & Hardware Stores.

In addition, Sears Outlet stores Tempe and Gilbert, Ariz. have a new owner, Keith Edquist. Edquist also owns another Sears Outlet store and seven Sears Home Appliance Showrooms.

Itasca, Ill. -- Jewel-Osco has appointed Scott Hays as VP operations for the Chicagoland supermarket chain.

Most recently a district manager with Albertsons LLC’s Southern division, Hays will lead the operations team to support Jewel-Osco’s marketing and merchandising initiatives, including the company’s upcoming remodels and opening their five newly acquired Dominick’s locations.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Holdings has named Arun Arora pany as senior VP and president, Home Services. In his new role with the company, Arora will be accountable for all aspects of the company's Home Services business, including in-home repair services, service contracts, carry-in repair, Sears home improvement services, parts direct, commercial sales (all Sears Holdings product categories) and Sears franchise businesses.

Washington, D.C. – A rising percentage of online U.S. adults report experiencing breaches of their personal data. According to newly released data from the Pew Research Center, 18% of online adults have had important personal information stolen, such as their Social Security Number, credit card, or bank account information.