OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

Paramus, N.J. – A lone gunman who entered the Garden State Plaza in Paramus, N.J., with an assault rifle the evening of Nov. 4 and went on an hours-long shooting rampage has reportedly been found dead of what appears to a self-inflicted gunshot wound. According to the Newark Star-Ledger, the body of 20-year-old Richard Shoop of Teaneck, N.J., was found by authorities at 3:20 a.m. on Nov. 5 in an area of the mall usually not accessible to customers.

Wayne, N.J. – The time may have come to change the name of Black Friday to Black Thursday. According to multiple media reports, Toys ‘R’ Us will open stores at 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving night.

Rockford, Mich. -- Wolverine Worldwide announced the appointment of Ira P. Hernowitz as president of the Stride Rite Children's Group. He most recently served as executive VP of "R" Us Brands for Toys R Us, Inc.

Hernowitz has served in a variety of leadership roles during his career, and his strong background in children's products, coupled with his retail expertise.

Goodlettsville, Tenn. — Dollar General on Monday named Todd Vasos as COO with responsibility for store operations, merchandising and supply chain. The company also said David D'Arezzo has joined the chain as executive VP and chief merchandising officer.

Brentwood, Tenn. -- Tractor Supply Company announced that its board of directors has elected Cynthia T. Jamison, 54, to succeed James F. Wright as chairman of the board upon the conclusion of Wright's term at the end of the year.

Jamison will become chairman effective January 1, 2014. Wright will resign his position as a board member effective December 31, 2013, consistent with his plan to serve as executive chairman of the board with a term of one year, as previously announced in September 2012.

Columbus, Ohio -- Big Lots will close down its wholesale operations — Big Lots Wholesale, Consolidated International and Wisconsin Toy — by the end of its current fiscal year as it concentrates its focus on its retail stores. The shuttering will result in the liquidation of the wholesale unit's inventory.

Portland -- The Green Building Initiative (GBI) announced that Wegmans Food Markets has been awarded a “two Green Globes” certification for its store in Germantown, Md. Green Globes, which is administered in the United States by the GBI, awards buildings that qualify one through four Globes based on environmental achievements in management, site, energy, water, materials and resources, emissions, and indoor environment.

Carlisle, Pa. -- Ahold USA announced that Gordon Reid will join the company’s Giant-Landover division as president, effective Nov. 4. He most recently served as group director for commercial services for Dairy Farm International, which operates more than 5,600 retail outlets throughout Asia.

Reid replaces Bhavdeep Singh, who has served as interim president since September. Singh continues to serve as executive VP, operations, Ahold USA.