OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

Austin, Texas – Shelfbucks Inc. has appointed a 25-member advisory board of senior corporate executives and business school leaders. Launched in October 2013, Shelfbucks delivers a smartphone-based technology that capitalizes on iBeacon, Bluetooth Low Energy and Near Field Communications to enable retailers to communicate special offers, coupons and other information directly to consumers in the retail setting.

Woonsocket, R.I. – CVS’ pharmacy has launched the Family Vitamin Center, a new health hub on CVS.com that empowers customers to learn more about the vitamins and supplements that can support their personal health goals. The Center features an interactive questionnaire and guidance tools that provide personalized supplement recommendations identifying which options are best suited to address personal wellness goals or health condition.

Boston – Doug Rauch, former president of Trader Joe’s, reportedly plans to open a pilot store that will charge reduced prices for food that is damaged or expired, but still safe to eat. According to the Boston Globe, The Daily Table will open in the urban Dorchester neighborhood of Boston during 2014 and offer services that are a mix of features offered in supermarkets and restaurants.

Las Vegas – Zappos is reportedly instituting a radical overhaul of its management structure that will eliminate traditional managers and flatten the corporate hierarchy, even eliminating internal job titles. According to the Washington Post, this management structure is known as a “holacracy.”

New York – Phone-based retail customer service can prove to be a time-consuming exercise. According to a new infographic from StellaService, during more than 54,000 customer service calls the company placed to retailers during 2013, a total of 17 days were spent on the phone navigating interactive voice response systems and 49 days were spent waiting for a live agent, more than double the 24 days spent waiting in 2012.

Washington, D.C. -- Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) reportedly may seek federal hearings on the recent data breach at Target. According to the Associated Press, Menendez said in a press conference held outside a Jersey City, N.J. Target store that he has also requested the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate whether it can levy fines against Target and whether laws protecting sensitive consumer data need to be strengthened.

Avon, Mass. – SelecTech, Inc., a provider of flooring products made from recycled materials, is launching a retail/franchise division. Based out of the company’s corporate headquarters in Avon, Mass., the new division will feature customer service and marketing representatives specifically dedicated to retail and franchise customers with multiple locations.

Los Angeles – Costco and Nordstrom were the number one and two ranked retailers in terms of their return policies, according to a new report from personal finance site GoBankingrates.com. Costco received kudos for having no time limit and full cash or check refunds, while Nordstrom got credit for having no formal return policy or time limit.