OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

New York -- Kohl’s Corp.’s chief merchandising officer, Donald A. Brennan, resigned his position, effective as of April 1, 2014. Kohl's disclosed Brennan's departure in a filing this week with securities regulators.

Under a separation agreement with the department-store operator, Brennan will receive a one-time severance payment equal to 2.9 times his annual salary plus the average of the three most-recent annual incentive compensation plan payments paid to him, according to a regulatory filing.

Plano, Texas – In a March 21 regulatory filing, J.C. Penney Co. Inc. said it does not expect the result of a lawsuit filed by Macy’s Inc. alleging that Penney was selling Martha Stewart Living products in violation of an exclusivity agreement to have a significant negative impact on its results.

Montvale, N.J. -- The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company (A&P) announced that company COO Paul Hertz has been appointed president and CEO, effective immediately. He succeeds Sam Martin. In January, A&P confirmed Martin’s departure.

New York -- Walmart has introduced an online feature, called “Savings Catcher,” that allows shoppers to compare prices on the chain’s food and household products against those of its competitors, according to the Associated Press. General merchandise  categories and electronics are not included, and neither are purchases of store brands or those made online.

Walmart began offering the new service in late February, the report said, in seven markets, including Dallas, San Diego and Atlanta.

Deerfield Park, Ill. -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office for Civil Rights is reportedly investigating privacy practices at the new Well Experience stores run by Walgreens. According to the Wall Street Journal, the investigation is focusing on whether pharmacist consultations with customers at Well Experience Stores violate the privacy of patient medical data.

Franklin, Tenn. – The growth of new mobile device shipments is expected to grow 95% worldwide and more than double (108%) in North America during 2014. According to IHL Group's Mobile POS Vendor Database, 47% of total mobile POS shipments in 2013 Worldwide were iOS devices, with Android at 33% and Windows 8 at 12%.

Eden Prairie, Minn. – Supervalu plans for a streamlined independent business organization. As part of the new structure, Supervalu’s independent business will consolidate from three regions to two regions, forming new East and West teams.

The new East and West independent business regions will be located in Mechanicsville, Va. and Hopkins, Minn. To lead the new organizations, Supervalu has named Kevin Kemp president of the East region and Bill Chew president of the West region.

Seattle – Starbucks reportedly plans to expand a pilot of an evening alcohol and “light bites” menu that includes wine to thousands of stores nationwide. According to Bloomberg, Starbucks executives said the evening food and drink offerings, currently provided in about 40 test stores, will be rolled out during the next several years.