OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

Foot Locker names new leaders
Foot Locker named new CEOs to lead the athletic retailer’s North America and International divisions.

President and CEO Richard Johnson announced the promotion of Stephen D. (Jake) Jacobs to the position of executive vice president and CEO of North America and Lewis P. Kimble to the position of executive VP and CEO of International, effective Feb. 29.
COO at Cabela's is stepping down
One of the senior executives at Cabela’s is transitioning to an advisory role within the company.

The sporting goods retailer announced that Michael Copeland, executive VP/COO, has decided to transition from his current position to a strategic advisory role. The transition will take place over the next month.

Copeland joined Cabela’s in November 2007 as VP of retail operations. Since January 2010 he has served as Cabela’s COO.

Jo-Ann Fabrics names new customer loyalty chief

Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores has named a new leader for its loyalty and customer relationship management programs.

Steve Miller joins Jo-Ann Fabrics from McKinsey & Company, where he served global clients as an engagement manager within the premier consulting firm’s marketing and sales practice. His work as a project manager afforded him the opportunity to gain experience across all functional areas in leading retail and consumer organizations, which includes building CRM and loyalty programs for Fortune 500 companies.
Study: EMV lags other payment security options

Retailers have yet to make a major move toward EMV compliance, but that doesn’t mean they are ignoring the need to secure card-based transactions.

According to a new special report from Boston Retail Partners, “Payment/Data Security in an Omnichannel World,” only 10% of retailers are performing EMV-enabled transactions that are working well, with another 12% saying their EMV-enabled transactions need improvement.
Senior Kroger exec retiring after 44 years

The Kroger Co.'s senior VP for retail operations and strategic initiatives plans to retire in April.

The company announced that Marnette Perry plans to retire on April 29, after 44 years with the company.
Kroger CEO joins VF Corp. board

The VF Corp. is adding some heavy duty retail expertise to its board of directors.
Luxottica HR exec joins Jo-Ann Fabrics

Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores has added some human resources heft to its executive ranks.
Staples veteran named VP at Wayfair.com

Wayfair has named an e-commerce veteran from Staples to oversee supply chain and operations at the growing online retailer.

Wayfair announced that Sharif Sleiman has joined the company as VP of supply chain and operations.
Report: Walmart case could expand gay rights in workplace

Walmart is the target of a lawsuit that could provide an answer to the quesition as to whether anti-gay discrimination is a form of sex discrimination, according to Bloomberg. If a settlement isn’t reached in the case, which goes to mediation on Feb. 22, it will go to trial in federal court in Massachusetts.
Kmart enters extreme value game with digital twist

Move over Big Lots and Ollie’s Bargain Outlet. Kmart is ready to begin making opportunistic purchases of closeouts and liquidated good in keeping with its strategic vision to make shopping fun again.

Kmart said its strategic merchandising group is actively sourcing extreme-value deals by purchasing the inventory of liquidated companies and capitalizing on other opportunistic situations to obtain outstanding products and offer unbeatable value.