OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

Dallas – A majority of consumers find point-of-sale (POS) prompts, such as discount alerts on their mobile devices an invasion of their privacy. According to a recent website poll from CompuCom, respondents were asked, “Do you find point-of-sale technology prompts, such as a customized alert for discounts upon entering a store”: 63% said it is Big Brother-ish/intrusive while 37% said it is helpful and cool.

The poll collected 307 responses from IT professionals across multiple industries from Nov. 16, 2013 through Dec. 17, 2013.

SAN FRANCISCO – Brick-and-mortar customer analytics provider Euclid is introducing Euclid Express, a free analytics solution that provides retailers with insights into customer behavior and store performance. Using existing Wi-Fi, Euclid allows retailers to assess the offline impact of marketing activities, identify trends in store performance, and improve the overall shopping experience.

Saratoga Springs, N.Y. -- Stewart’s Shops, a chain of 300 convenience stores offering gasoline and fresh and local dairy products and ice cream, has deployed Paragon Software’s Single Depot solution to automate the planning of daily and seasonal deliveries. Paragon’s software automates the manual process of planning and scheduling deliveries to the retail outlets, lowering mileage, reducing fuel usage, and improving truckload efficiencies.

Naples, Fla. - Retail and consumer products industry veterans Vince Burke, Jim Gillis and Rich Juliano have founded of the Burke Gillis Juliano Group, a global consultancy focused on the supermarket, mass retail, convenience, drug and specialty retail trade channels. Burke Gillis Juliano Group offers executive management, market strategy, mergers & acquisitions, private equity, business development, product marketing, trade relations and related services to retailers, suppliers and vendors in the U.S. and globally.

Oak Brook, Ill. -- Ace Hardware Corporation has appointed Tom Knox, 59, as president and CEO of Westlake Ace Hardware, Ace’s largest cooperative comprising 85 stores. Knox will be leaving his role as VP, retail business development, training & supply at Ace’s corporate offices and relocating to the Kansas City area to pursue his new role.

Phnom Penh, Cambodia – The United Nations reportedly wants the Cambodian government to investigate the use of force against striking garment factory workers in the country’s capital city of Phnom Penh on Jan. 3. According to Reuters, police opened fire on workers striking over their pay, wounding 20 and killing five.

In addition, 23 striking workers were detained and their whereabouts remain unaccounted for. The Cambodian police say three people were killed and they are sorry for the incident.

Framingham, Mass. – Staples and Zonoff are expanding the Staples Connect platform in stores and online, including new ecosystem device partners, support for additional wireless protocols, and the opening of a Manhattan in-store display. Companies announcing support for the 2014 expansion of the Staples/Zonoff ecosystem include Kwikset, Netgear, Radio Thermostat, Centralite, Withings, Waxman, Goji, Koubachi, and Rachio.

New York – Barnes & Noble, Inc. has appointed president Michael P. Huseby to CEO. Immediately, in his role, Huseby will be responsible for all of the company’s business units including Barnes & Noble Retail, Barnes & Noble College and Nook Media.

He will report to the board of directors and has been elected to serve on the board. Huseby joined Barnes & Noble as CFO in March 2012, and was promoted to president in July 2013.