OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

Supermarket success for ex-Trader Joe's president
The former president of Trader Joe's has created a supermarket concept in the Boston area that offers fresh, healthy food at affordable prices. Now just a few months since opening, the store boasts over 300 customers visiting daily and has begun to look into expanding with a second location in the Boston area. [Food World News]
Levis names another new exec to lead retail operations
Levis Strauss & Co. has named a new leader with experience at Nike, Petco and Target to drive growth at its 2,700 unit global retail division.

Levi Strauss & Co. said Carrie Ask will join the company on Feb. 16, 2016 as executive vice president and president of global retail. She fills a position that has been vacant since June when Craig Nomura resigned after just 16 months with the company. Ask will report directly to Chip Bergh, president and CEO of the $4.8 billion global apparel company.

One thing on every retailer’s Christmas wish list

Life could be so much simpler for retailers and suppliers – and better for most consumers too – if federal lawmakers could find a way to grant the industry this one, not-so-simple, holiday wish.
RILA dishes on drone regs, pledge retail support

Drone sales are expected to set a new sale record this holiday season and create all sorts of new privacy, security and safety challenges in the process. No wonder regulations regarding the recreational use of drones are drawing support from the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA).

RILA in response to an interim final rule issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Dec. 15, pledged its support of what appears to be a common sense requirement that drones weighing up to 55 pounds must be registered.
Schnucks Markets names new chief merchant

Schnucks Markets on Monday named industry veteran Mark Doiron its new chief merchant. Doiron, who has more than 25 years of experience in the food and grocery industries, will be responsible for procurement and merchandising throughout Schnucks’ 99 supermarkets. He serves on the company’s senior management team and reports to Schnucks chairman and CEO Todd Schnuck.
New Filters for Hiring CEOs in 2016

I remember something a retailer once said to me more than 25 years ago, long before digital mattered. It’s still true today: if the product’s not right, nothing matters. If the product is right, everything matters. That everything now includes staying ahead of the consumer digitally. We’ve gone from a generation that saw technology as a skill, to one that doesn’t see it at all – it’s so natural it's become instinct. This shopper lives in a world where digital doesn’t just define shopping habits - it defines the way they live.
With merger completed, design firm makes senior appointments

Callison and RTKL have officially joined forces as CallisonRTKL.

The firm announced several senior-level appointments to launch its next level of growth:

Eric Lagerberg (New York) has been named executive VP and will serve as global practice group leader for retail stores and regional director of North America for CallisonRTKL.
Barnes & Noble names a new IT leader

The instability in the executive suite at Barnes & Noble continues, as the retailer has named a new CIO just months after installing a new chief digital officer.

The retailer has named William Wood as its new CIO. Wood comes from EZCORP Inc., where he also served as chief information officer. He will report directly to Ron Boire, CEO.
Hedge fund investor named CEO at Tuesday Morning

Tuesday Morning Corp. has selected the chairman of its board to be the off-price retailer's next chief executive, ending a search that began in September.

Steven R. Becker becomes the Texas-based retailer's next CEO, effective immediately. Becker has led Tuesday Morning's office of the chairman since Sept. 28, when the Dallas-based retailer’s previous CEO, Michael Rouleau, announced his retirement. Previously Becker had served as the company's chairman of the board since 2012.
Ascena Retail Group adds Michaels exec to board

The Ascena Retail Group is adding a seasoned retail CEO and a legal expert to its board of directors.

The parent company of Ann Taylor Loft, Ann and other banners announced three changes to its board of directors on Friday. Board member Klaus Eppler is retiring and Carl (“Chuck”) Rubin and Steven L. Kirshenbaum are joining the board.