OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

Kohl’s to keep stores open Dec. 19-24
Menomonee Falls, Wis. – Consumers who want to shop at odd hours to avoid dealing with holiday crowds will have plenty of opportunities at Kohl’s. Kohl’s Department Stores will keep its doors open for more than 100 hours straight from 6 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 19 through 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve, Wednesday, Dec. 24.
Buckle shuffles management roster
Kearney, Neb. – The Buckle Inc. has made a number of reappointments to its executive staff. Kelli D. Molczyk has been appointed to the position of VP of women’s merchandising, Diane L. Applegate has been appointed to the position of VP of supply chain and merchandising operations, and Thomas B. Heacock has been appointed to the position of VP of finance, treasurer, and corporate controller and has been appointed as a member of the company’s executive committee.

Supreme Court rules Amazon doesn’t have to pay workers for security-screening time

New York - The Supreme Court handed out a victory to Amazon and other employers when it ruled unanimously on Tuesday that a temp agency was not required to pay workers at Amazon warehouses in Nevada for the time they spent waiting for and undergoing security checks at the end of their shifts. The court reversed a lower court ruling from last year which had allowed the workers to sue under the theory that since their screening time was required by the employer, it should be compensated.
NRF: Imports will slow in December as holiday rush ends

Washington, D.C. - Import cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports is expected to continue to slow down in December. According to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates, import volume at U.S. ports covered by the Global Port Tracker report is expected to total 1.37 million containers this month as the holiday shipping cycle winds down.
Shake-up at Francesca’s; company taps former Signet Jewelers chief as CEO, chairman

Houston — In its surprise change of leadership, Francesca's Holdings Corp. named Michael W. Barnes as chairman, president and CEO, effective immediately. He joins Fancesca's after serving as CEO of Signet Jewelers since 2011, and leading the company’s $1.46 billion acquisition of Zale Corp. Barnes left the Ohio-based Signet in October, saying he wanted to be closer to his family in Dallas.
Five Below names COO and retail veteran Joel Anderson as CEO

Philadelphia — Specialty retailer Five Below named current COO and industry veteran Joel Anderson as president and CEO, effective Feb.1., 2015. Anderson has also been elected a member of the company's board of directors. Current CEO and co-founder, Tom Vellios, who will work with Anderson to ensure a smooth transition, will remain active in the company as executive chairman.
Walgreens names Claire’s, Wal-Mart vet as merchandising head

Deerfield, Ill. – Walgreen Co. has named Linda Filler as president of retail products and chief merchandising officer, effective Jan. 1. Filler will be responsible for the vision, leadership, strategic direction and performance of all Walgreens merchandising activities.
Best Buy says goodbye to China stores

Minneapolis – While some retailers, including Wal-Mart Stores, are ramping up their store presence in China, Best Buy Co. is pulling up stakes. The consumer electronics chain has entered into a definitive agreement for the sale of its Five Star business to the Jiayuan Group, a China-based real estate firm.
Stratford Square Mall fights crime with Axis Network Cameras

CHELMSFORD, Mass. - Chicago-area Stratford Square Mall is relying on Axis Communications’ network cameras to protect public safety and minimize shoplifting during the holiday shopping season. Along with an increase in sales, the holiday season can also bring an increase in merchandise shrink, adding more incentive for mall managers to have eyes throughout the facility.
Report – FBI warns of catastrophic new malware

Washington, D.C. – The FBI is reportedly warning U.S. businesses of a catastrophic new malware that may have links to the governments of North Korea and/or Iran. According to Reuters, the malware has previously been used in destructive attacks against businesses in the Middle East and Asia, but was detected for the first time in the U.S. in a recent cyberattack that shut down corporate email for a week and damaged other systems at Sony Pictures Entertainment.