OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

Buffalo, N.Y. -- Buffalo, the second largest city in New York, has become the first market in which a majority of Rite Aid's stores have been converted to the Wellness format, the retail pharmacy chain announced Wednesday.

Davenport, Iowa -- Some retailers just keep growing, despite economic headwinds, fickle customers and competitive pressures. The family-operated, 140-year-old Von Maur department store company, based in Davenport, Iowa, is one of those retailers. In an exclusive video interview, Chain Store Age senior editor Katherine Boccaccio spoke with Jim von Maur, president, about the chain’s strategy and how it keeps growing in an uncertain economy.

New York -- Wal-Mart Stores has identified two internal candidates to succeed CEO Mike Duke, Bloomberg News reported.
   
The two candidates are Bill Simon, 53 and head of Walmart U.S., and Doug McMillon, 46, head of the company's international business, according to the report.

New York -- Target isn’t letting any grass grow under its feet when it comes to the suddenly hot category of home goods and home furnishings. The discounter has installed a giant, two-story dollhouse — some 21 ft. high and occupying some 1,500 sq. ft. of space — smack in the middle of Vanderbuilt Hall in New York City’s Grand Central Station. The temporary installation is designed to promote Target’s new Threshold brand and is completely furnished and accessorized with furniture, decor, and housewares from the collection.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. announced Monday that it has launched a new TV and digital ad campaign designed to demonstrate what the retailer describes as “The Real Walmart.”

The campaign also includes a dedicated website – therealwalmart.com – demonstrating how consumers rely on Walmart to save money, on the company’s career opportunities, and detailing how it creates efficiencies and works directly with manufacturers to help deliver low prices.

New York -- The Jones Group Inc. said Monday that it has nominated James Mitarotonda, chairman and CEO of Barington Capital Group, to its board of directors, expanding the board to 11 members.

Barington has about a 2.3% stake in Jones Group.

Canton, Mass. -- Destination XL Group on May 5 launched a national advertising campaign designed to draw attention to the many challenges men who wear extra large sizes face when shopping for clothes and position Destination XO stores as the one-stop-shopping solution for the style needs of this underserved consumer.