OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

Bon-Ton increases e-commerce support
Milwaukee - The Bon-Ton Stores Inc. is increasing its support of e-commerce with a new 743,000-sq.-ft. direct-to-consumer fulfillment center.

The facility, which began transitioning fulfillment operations in June, supports the company’s expanding e-commerce business and omnichannel growth plans.
Tyco opens customer experience center for Walmart with simulated store environment
Bentonville, Ark. -- How important is Walmart to Tyco Retail Solutions Inc.? Important enough that Tyco has built a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to the giant retailer.

Located in Bentonville, Arkansas, the Walmart Retail Experience Center features a simulated retail environment and showroom where the retailer’s executives from around the globe will have access to resources and capabilities aligned to Walmart’s growing global footprint. It is Tyco’s first center built exclusively for one client.

The Customer Can’t Always Be Right

Imagine this scenario: You’ve worked hard to build a profitable business and you’ve done it the right way. You’ve taken every step to control the things you can control about every aspect of your company. You’ve got handbook policies regarding equal employment opportunity and prohibiting discrimination or harassment on any basis, and you have a diverse workforce that evidences your commitment to equal opportunity.
Chipotle to go on massive, one-day hiring spree

Denver -- Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. is going on a hiring binge.

The chain will hold its first-ever “National Career Day,” on Sept. 9, with the goal of hiring 4,000 new employees.

In terms of employment, Chipotle is considered one of the more desirable fast-food chains, offering higher-than-average wages. In June, the company announced it planned to offer benefits previously available only to salaried workers to all employees, including full tuition reimbursements, sick pay, and paid vacation days.
Sears Holdings names J&J, HP exec as hardlines president

Hoffman Estates, Ill. - Lynn Pendergrass has joined Sears Holdings Corp. in the new role of president, hardlines.

In this position, she will be responsible for working across the Kenmore, Craftsman & DieHard business unit and its hardlines partners, including home appliances, lawn & garden, tools, and Sears Auto Centers, to develop compelling offers and build customer relationships.

Pendergrass comes to Sears Holdings from Johnson & Johnson, where she served as worldwide chairman, consumer.
Pet Supplies Plus gets assortment collaboration on leash

Livonia, Mich. - Pet Supplies Plus, a retail pet supply business with 320 stores in 25 states, positions itself as a smaller, convenient alternative to big-box competitors. Success requires proper product assortment always being available through all channels.
Street finds Fresh Market Q2 results stale; 18 new stores planned

Greensboro, N.C. – The Fresh Market Inc. did not meet Wall Street expectations for profit or revenue in the second quarter of fiscal 2015. The grocer reported net income of $17.47 million, up 53% from $11.39 million the prior period.

Higher gross margin and pretax income drove profit growth. Net sales increased 5% to $442.1 million from $422.23 million, and same-store sales decreased 1%. The Fresh Market plans to open 18 new stores and remodel or refresh nine to 10 stores during the full fiscal year.
Report: Suit accuses Costco of covering up slavery in seafood supply chain

Issaquah, Wash. — A consumer lawsuit reportedly accuses Costco of knowingly purchasing shrimp from Thai providers that use slave labor and then misleading the public about the practice. According to the Puget Sound Business Journal, a California woman filed the suit in San Francisco federal court.
Five Steps Toward Preventing a Retail Breach

In today’s news cycle, it’s become somewhat standard fare to read reports of a significant breach in the retail world. From Target to Neiman Marcus, UPS to eBay and even restaurants like P.F. Chang's and Dairy Queen, 2014 resulted in major retail breaches totaling 100 million credit cards and 313 million personal records. But it’s not just the big names that have targets on their backs; as Verizon’s 2015 Data Breach Investigations Report details: “the attack methods are becoming more varied, even against small businesses.”
Papa John’s gets ready for mobile communications

Lexington, Ky. – Papa John’s Pizza is getting ready for mobile communications. The pizza chain has selected the Red e App mobile communications platform to increase operational efficiency across its organization.

Red e App will give Papa John’s a dedicated channel to communicate and share files with corporate managers in more than 600 locations using a private, mobile-centric platform. Papa John’s is also planning to expand the service to franchise owners and operators in the future.