OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

Walmart holiday plans include reduced prices on 20,000 products, free shipping on hot items
Bentonville, Ark. -- Walmart is upping the ante on holiday shopping. The chain announced that, starting Saturday, Nov. 1, it will reduce prices on more than 20,000 items. Walmart is also launching its holiday promotions on the first weekend in November to get a jump on what is expected to be a highly competitive selling season.
Best Buy’s Future Shop unit to debut updated smaller-store concept
New York -- Canadian consumer electronics retailer Future Shop, a subsidiary of Best Buy, will open its third small-format store, in Cornwall, Ontario, in November. The 8,000-sq.-ft. store represents the evolution of its small-format that focuses on providing integration between in-store and online and a seamless customer experience. The updates layout features an open view to the back warehouse, a modernized esthetic and a creative use of warm colours that all contribute to an inviting shopping experience.

Fred’s promotes CFO to CEO

Memphis, Tenn. -- Fred's Inc. named Jerry Shore as its next CEO. Shore has served as the company's executive VP and CFO for more than 14 years. He assumed the additional title of COO in Jan. 2014. Shore's promotion follows follows notification by current CEO Bruce A. Efird of his intention to leave Fred’s upon the expiration of his contract.
Rent-a-Center volunteers for #RetailFightsEbola effort

Nashville, Tenn. –- Rent-A-Center has offered to pay for the shipping of the first container of relief supplies as part of the #RetailFightsEbola campaign. RetailFightsEbola is a campaign to combat the spread of Ebola in Liberia launched by Retail Orphan Initiative (RetailROI). The campaign is rallying retailers, manufacturers and individuals to provide much needed medical and hygienic supplies to Liberia.
RILA, merchant groups express cybersecurity concerns

Arlington, Va. -- The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) and a group of merchant associations have sent a letter on the state of cybersecurity in the U.S. and how the payments system works in a letter to the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) and the National Association of Federal Credit Unions (NAFCU). The letter dispels what the merchant groups say are many misconceptions the credit unions have been driving regarding recent cyberattacks and the response by retailers and financial institutions.
Starbucks to offer delivery service in 2015

Seattle -– Starbucks Corp. is planning to launch a coffee delivery service in select U.S cities in 2015, the company said during its quarterly investors’ conference call on Oct. 30. The new service will be available to loyalty program members using the chain’s new mobile app. Starbucks gave few specific details about the service, but the new app, allowing users to order and pay for items, will launch in Portland in December and in other U.S. markets in 2015.
Quiznos expands into Middle East, Asia

Denver -- Quiznos continues to expand its international development with growth into seven countries in Asia and the Middle East. This is the latest addition to an international development strategy to open more than 1,000 restaurants in more than 40 countries by 2020 and will widen the company footprint abroad through the help of international master franchisees.
Report: UPS expects six days busier than peak of 2013 holiday season

Atlanta –- United Parcel Service Inc. (UPS) is reportedly forecasting that six days in the upcoming holiday season will be busier for shipping packages than its busiest day in the 2013 holiday season. According to Bloomberg, UPS predicts it will deliver 585 million packages in December, an 11% year-over-year increase.
Bottom Dollar Food head named Food Lion president

Salisbury, N.C. -- Meg Ham has been named president of Food Lion effective Nov. 1. She succeeds Beth Newlands Campbell, who is leaving the company for personal and professional reasons. Ham will lead all Food Lion banner operations, including strategic direction, financial performance, product assortment, pricing, customer service and marketing. She will continue to report to Delhaize America CEO Kevin Holt.
Hhgregg swings to loss in tough Q2

Indianapolis –- Consumer electronics retailer Hhgregg Inc. swung from profit to loss in a generally difficult second quarter of fiscal 2014. Hhgregg reported a net loss of $10.38 million, compared to net income of $3.68 million in the same quarter the prior fiscal year. Net sales dropped 11% to $505.86 million from $568.31 million. Same-store sales declined 11.4%. Growing expenses and declining gross profit helped push the chain into the red.