OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

Toano, Va. – Boston-based class action law firm Block & Leviton said it is investigating claims that Lumber Liquidators Holdings sold floors to consumers with illegal levels of formaldehyde. Independent testing conducted at two different IAS-certified laboratories has reportedly revealed formaldehyde levels as high 0.17 ppm, three-and-a-half times the government mandated maximum emission level, in Mayflower flooring.

New York – Closing arguments for the lawsuit Macy’s filed against JC Penney and Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia last year are scheduled to commence Aug. 1, according to a report in Reuters. The suit claims a December 2011 agreement to create Martha Stewart boutiques in JC Penney stores violated Macy’s exclusive right to sell Martha Stewart Living products.

Cincinnati – As part of its seventh annual sustainability report, Kroger is committing to moving its stores toward the EPA zero waste threshold of 90%. Currently Kroger diverts 58% of its waste from stores and will increase that figure to 65% by the end of this year and 70% by the end of 2015. The retailer also is committing to sourcing 100% certified sustainable palm oil by the end of 2015.

Fremont, Calif. – In another twist to the ongoing Men’s Wearhouse-George Zimmer saga, Reuters reports that Men’s Wearhouse founder and former executive chairman Zimmer is contemplating trying to recapture his position as executive chairman through such means as a buyout attempt with private equity backing or rallying the support of shareholders. Neither Zimmer nor Men’s Wearhouse has officially commented, but Zimmer is reportedly consulting advisers, including his legal counsel, Cooley LLP.

Bolingbrook, Ill. -- Ulta Beauty has selected Mary Dillon, the president and CEO of U.S. Cellular, as CEO, effective July 1, 2013. She replaces Dennis K. Eck, who has been serving as interim CEO of Ulta since CEO Chuck Rubin left to head up Michaels.

Dillon, 52, who will also become a member of Ulta’s board, has served in the top spot at U.S. Cellular since 2010. Previously, she was global chief marketing officer and executive VP for McDonald's Corp.

Roanoke, Va. -- Advance Auto Parts has promoted Donna Justiss to the position of senior VP and chief information officer. Justiss will be responsible for the strategic leadership of all aspects of Advance’s information technology area, including application development and support, infrastructure and information security.

Camp Hill, Pa.  -- Rite Aid Corp. has promoted Ken Martindale, currently senior executive VP and COO, to president and COO. Rite Aid chairman, president and CEO John Standley will continue in those roles.

The promotion of Martindale, 53, is effective immediately.

China -- China once again topped the A.T. Kearney’s 2013 Retail Apparel Index, which measures the market readiness of developing economies for international apparel retailers to enter. Other compelling expansion opportunities are offered by a number of countries from Latin America and the Middle East.