OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

A new ‘fresh’ era begins at Publix
An executive who played a key role in helping Publix deliver on its “where shopping is a pleasure” brand promise has stepped down after nearly half a century with one of the nation’s best supermarket operators.

David Bridges, VP of fresh product business development at Publix will retire effective Jan. 1, 2016 and his role will be filled by Chris Litz who currently serves as a regional director of Publix Atlanta Division.
EMV not a panacea for online fraud
Here is the bottom line: EMV compliance protects against certain types of fraud but not all types.

Yes, EMV adoption will drive significant growth in online fraud. But in something that has received far less attention is the fact EMV-compliant technology can also actually help protect retailers against fraudulent e-commerce transactions.

New head merchants named at Walmart, Sam’s Club

Photo: Steve Bratspies
Bluemercury’s search for exceptionalism

Sephora and Ulta are successful retailers in their own right, but Bluemercury founder Barry Beck wants to chart a different growth path for the company Macy’s acquired earlier this year.

When Macy’s announced in February it was buying beauty retailer Bluemercury, a lot of watchers wondered what the little-known niche retailer could offer the nation’s second largest department store chain. The answer to that question lies in something the founder of Bluemercury calls “exceptionalism.”
Study: Millennials don’t want plastic

Physical credit cards may be going the way of DVDs and floppy disks.

According to new analysis from Bankrate.com cited by PayPal, 63% of millennials do not have a credit card. However, that does not mean they are abandoning credit-based purchases.

Millennials are now the fastest growing segment of PayPal Credit shoppers, rising to 33% of the total in 2015 up from 28% in 2013. Rather than shunning credit altogether, this influential group is turning to alternative credit services to help manage their finances.
Sears Holdings makes big moves on home front

Sears holdings has made a key acquisition to bolster its connected home effort and named a new executive to lead its home service division.

The retailer said it hired former Best Buy executive Sean Skelley as president of its Home Services division. Skelley spent 20 years at Best Buy but most recently served as senior VP of service solutions for Asurion, global provider of device protection and support services for smartphones, tablets, consumer electronics and appliances.
Changing of the guard at Ann Inc.

Ascena Retail Group named a new executive to lead its recently acquired Ann Inc. division.
A familiar face returns to Tilly's as CEO

Teen apparel and footwear retailer Tilly's has tapped an executive who previously led the company to fill the shoes of Daniel Griesemer who stepped down as president, CEO and a member of the board effective Oct. 7.
Regional chain enters same-day delivery arena

Same-day delivery is a growing phenomenon, but so far has been the province of major national retailers.

Renton, Washington-based McLendon Hardware, which operates seven stores in Washington, is making a big move to same-day delivery for big items.
AutoZone shifts to new exec gear

The nation’s leading automotive specialty retailer realigned responsibilities among a trio of senior executives.