OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

JDA increases agility of warehouse management
JDA Software Group Inc. is releasing enhancements to its warehouse management solution designed to make it more accessible and responsive to real-time, omnichannel supply chain needs.

To maximize accessibility of warehouse management, JDA is embedding mobility into all aspects of the solution. Thus employees can use the application in any location without a workstation. This allows managers to track and observe employees executing their work on the floor, while allowing warehouse associates to accomplish tasks using touchscreens and visual guides on the floor.
The Vitamin Shoppe overhauls board of directors
The Vitamin Shoppe is changing the structure of its board of directors as it looks to enhance its corporate governance practices.

The company announced its board will rotate the role of lead director for the second time since the company's Oct. 28, 2009, initial public offering. David Edwab, who served as lead director since April 2011, has stepped down from that role and John Bowlin, who became a member of the Vitamin Shoppe board in October 2014, will now serve as lead director.

Publix Super Markets' CEO to retire

Publix Super Markets named a new CEO to replace current chief executive Ed Crenshaw, who announced his retirement on Wednesday.

The company said that Crenshaw will step down effective April 30, 2016. Upon his retirement, current company president Todd Jones will become president and CEO.
Dick’s Sporting Goods obtains early insight into merchandise

Dick’s Sporting Goods is applying advanced analytics to better understand what products it should sell, and at what cost.

Dick’s is partnering with predictive analytics solutions provider First Insight, to help make faster and more accurate decisions in the areas of product design, merchandise buying and pricing decisions on thousands of goods and designs.
QVC exec joins GS1 US board

QVC chief information officer Linda Dillman has joined the board of the GS1 US supply chain information standard organization.

GS1 US is a supply chain information standards organization.

Dillman will help guide the GS1 US strategy for driving the adoption and usage of the GS1 System of Standards in e-commerce. The standards uniquely identify products, services and locations globally. They are designed to assist in enhancing the consumer shopping experience while boosting online retailer efficiency, revenue and loyalty.
Guitar Center creates merchandising harmony

Operating multiple brands and channels, Guitar Center has struggled in recent years with merchandising challenges such as omnichannel retailing, branding and selling a mix of new and used products.
Amazon makes the Ivy League

After years of hard work and success, Amazon.com has finally gained admittance to an elite Ivy League campus.

Amazon plans to open Amazon@Penn, a new staffed package pickup point to be opened on the University of Pennsylvania campus. The first such facility at an Ivy League university, Amazon@Penn will offer a location for Penn students to pick up and return their Amazon orders.
Kroger wishes retiring Fred Meyer president well, names successor

Photo: Jeff Burt
New retail concept, Star World, combines bricks and clicks

Photo: Jerry Azarkman, president of Star World
Asda opens seamless in-store possibilities

Walmart’s U.K. subsidiary Asda is expanding what customers can do with in-store pickup and return through its new service called toyou.