OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

Starbucks detail environmental progress in 2014
Seattle – Starbucks Corp. tackled a wide range of global responsibility projects in 2014, including the ongoing minimization of its environment footprint. In its annual 2014 Global Responsibility Report, the coffee giant noted that it opened its 500th LEED-certified store in 2014, and that 98% of company-operated new stores opened in the United States in 2014 were built to LEED standards. Globally, the percentage stands at 64%.
Ebay names two directors as it readies for PayPal split
San Jose, Calif. -- EBay Inc. on Monday announced it has appointed two independent directors to its board as it prepares for the spinoff of its payments division, PayPal, in the second half of this year.

Ebay appointed Tony Bates, president of action camera maker GoPro, and Gail McGovern, president and CEO of the American Red Cross, to its board.

Fresh & Easy to close 55 stores as it transitions to new convenience model

New York -- Fresh & Easy plans to close 55 stores, which would leave the chain with about 110 locations, the Orange Country Register reported. Fresh & Easy is owned by the Yucaipa Cos., which bought the supermarket chain out of bankruptcy in 2013 from U.K. retailer Tesco. It operates stores in Nevada, California and Arizona.

The stores slated for closing do not meet Fresh & Easy’s new model of “modern convenience.”
Square extends e-checking to businesses

San Francisco – Electronic payment provider Square Inc. is extending its Square Cash e-checking service to businesses. Square is launching Square Cash Pro for Business as an offshoot of its Square Cash personal e-checking service, introduced in 2013.

Retailers using Cash Pro can accept payments from any Cash customer through the Cash app, via email, with $Cashtags, or online from Cash.me. $Cashtags allow businesses to accept electronic payments without revealing an email address or phone number.
Dollar General promotes Rhonda Taylor to exec VP

Goodlettsville, Tenn. -- Dollar General Corporation announced that Rhonda M. Taylor, currently senior VP and general counsel, has been promoted to executive VP and general counsel.

“Rhonda is a valuable member of our executive leadership team and is a trusted advisor on legal and business issues impacting Dollar General. In addition, she provides outstanding leadership and I look forward to her continued success at Dollar General,” said Rick Dreiling, chairman and CEO.
Natural Grocers partners with Instacart in Denver

Lakewood, Colo. - Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage will provide grocery delivery service to customers in Denver in as little as one hour with the Instacart grocery delivery service. Delivery to Denver metro area residents and businesses begins March 20.
Report: Toys ‘R’ Us Times Square flagship to close when lease expires

New York -- Toys "R" Us is not going to renew the lease of its Manhattan flagship, according to various reports. The lease for the massive 110,000-sq.-ft. retail space, at 1514 -1530 Broadway, between 44th and 45th Streets, is set to expire at the end of January 2016. The ground floor of the prime space, in the heart of busy Times Square and with access to Broadway, commands a whopping $2,500 per foot per year in rent, with the second and third floors costing considerably less, according to CNN Money.
Canadian Tire exec appointed senior VP of Babies ‘R’ Us

Wayne, N.J. -- Toys “R” Us announced that it has named Reg McLay as senior VP, Babies “R” Us business, effective March 30.

McLay will lead the Babies “R” Us merchandising team in the U.S. in driving product innovation, as well as differentiation in services and offerings across its stores nationwide. He will report to Hank Mullany, president, Toys “R” Us, U.S.
Lowe’s rolls out KeyMe digital key kiosks

Mooresville, N.C. – Lowe’s Companies Inc. may have found the key to customer self-service. The DIY giant is rolling out new retail kiosks from KeyMe at select locations.

The kiosks enable customers to safely store a “digital copy” of their keys in the cloud and create a spare copy at their local Lowe’s in under 30 seconds. The new kiosks will be able to copy car keys, both with transponder chips and those without. This is the first time car keys have ever been able to be copied at a self-service kiosk.
Report: Target to raise minimum wage

New York -- Target Corp. will raise its minimum wage to $9 per hour, with the change effective in April, according to a report late Wednesday afternoon by Dow Jones.

The move comes after several other major retailers, most recently Walmart and TJX Cos., unveiled similar wage hikes. It also comes amid a tightening job market.