OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

Footwear retailer improves ship-from-store service
Knowing efficient in-store fulfillment is key to omnichannel success, Browns Shoes has just taken a big step toward optimizing these orders. Browns Shoes, a family-owned business established in Montreal in 1940, owns and operates more than 60 retail stores throughout Canada. When the retailer merged its e-commerce channel with its brick-and-mortar operations, Browns was ready to use its retail network as another fulfillment avenue.
Top four items on retail tech wish list
Self-checkout technology tops the list of items that IT professionals would like to see in use over the next year, according to a poll by CompCom. “It’s perhaps not surprising to see self-checkout rise to the top in the poll, since paying for purchases is probably the least pleasurable part of the shopping experience, and making the process as quick and easy as possible is increasingly important to retailers," said Tom Alvey, senior VP, retail solutions group at CompuCom.

Beauty brand streamlines B2B gift card program

Sephora is all about offering top-notch service to its customers — even its business partners. According to the Incentive Research Foundation and Incentive Gift Card Council, business-to-business (B2B) gifting is becoming more prevalent across U.S. companies, as they spend $22.7 billion per year on gift cards. Sephora’s new partnership will enable the company to claim a bigger portion of this market share.
Walmart in new pay policy for military workers

Walmart is stepping up its commitment to its workers who serve in the military by covering the difference when an employee's military salary is less than what the person makes working at the store.
Target makes history with data breach settlement

Target Corp. has resolved its 2013 data breach with a deal that represents the largest multi-state data breach settlement in history. The retailer agreed to pay a total of $18.5 million to settle the case. The money will go to 47 states and the District of Columbia, with California receiving the largest share of the settlement, more than $1.4 million.
Athletic footwear brand steps up retailing experience

Shoe Palace is moving into the cloud to enhance its omnichannel operations. A preferred Nike retailer, Shoe Palace is known for its high-end athletic footwear and apparel, and top-notch customer service. The family-run business opened its first store in San Jose, California in 1993. Today, the company operates 118 stores nationwide, and an e-commerce site.
Fashion retailer automates merchandising

Soft Surroundings is making moves to create more customer-centric assortments. The St. Louis-Missouri-based fashion retailer’s goal is to help customers maintain their unique sense of style without sacrificing comfort. This was becoming a challenge through its spreadsheet-based planning processes. With an eye on driving more customer-centric assortments across its growing chain, the company knew it was time for a change.
J.C. Penney checks into its newest business — hospitality

A department store chain is pursuing a new business opportunity. J.C. Penney now offers business-to-business solutions for operators and facility managers in the hotel and lodging industry, as well as the multi-unit residential industry. And the chain has a few categories that fit the bill.
Google ups the ante on mobile payments

Google is once again expanding its digital payment options. The company knows it can be difficult for shoppers to make online payments within third-party apps and mobile websites, as well as in Google Assistant, when they are on the run. A new service is easing this pain and giving users more options.
Study: Automation puts millions of U.S. retail jobs at risk

Automation may be mission-critical to operational longevity in the retail industry, but it could be creating a significant pool of “stranded workers.” Six million to 7.5 million retail jobs likely will be automated out of existence in the coming years, leaving a large portion of the retail workforce at risk of becoming “stranded workers.” Retail cashiers are at highest risk for automation technologies, and women hold 73% of these positions.