OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

New York -- The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to consider whether a Muslim woman who was denied a job at an Abercrombie & Fitch Co. store because she wears a head scarf was required to specifically request a religious accommodation at the time of her job interview.

The court agreed to hear an appeal filed in the case by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the federal agency that sued the retailer on behalf of Samantha Elauf, who was denied a sales job at an Abercrombie Kids store in Tulsa, Oklahoma, back in 2008.

New York – Aeropostale Inc. plans to launch the Aeropostale and P.S. from Aeropostale brands in Chile through a licensing agreement with Sociedad Comercial Grupo Yes S.p.A. ("Grupo Yes").

Aeropostale's expansion plans in Chile include the opening of standalone stores, department stores and multi-brand stores in select locations across Chile beginning in spring 2015. The Company's first Aeropostale store is scheduled to open in Parque Arauco in Santiago in October. P.S. from Aeropostale stores are expected to open beginning in early 2015.

Elmsford, N.Y. - Party City has promoted Gregg A. Melnick to the position of president of Party City Holdings, effective immediately. Party City Holdings is the parent company of the Party City Retail Group and Amscan Inc., among other entities.  

Most recently, Melnick was the president of the Party City Retail Group. Melnick will partner with all of the key department heads across both the retail and wholesale divisions to provide the leadership to strengthen the brands and create opportunities for greater collaboration.

Toano, Va. -- Lumber Liquidators has launched a new section of its website detailing the company's sustainability efforts. Highlights include a DNA-testing program to identify wood species and origins, as well as audits of high-risk wood species.

In addition, Lumber Liquidators offers on-site sustainability training in international locations, online and in seminars, and is also increasing its North American sourcing.

Paris -- LVMH announced the appointment of Caroline Brown as CEO of Donna Karan International, effective Jan. 15. She currently serves as president of Carolina Herrera.

Brown will replace Mark Weber, the incumbent CEO of Donna Karan International, who is becoming a consultant for LVMH.

Deerfield, Ill. – Walgreens and The Western Union Company have launched international and domestic money transfers through a new Western Union stage and pay kiosk model via the Walgreen’s Balance Financial platform. Customers can send or receive money at more than 7,650 Walgreens and Duane Reade locations in 49 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Seattle -- Kitchenware retailer Sur La Table has appointed industry veteran Diane Neal as its new CEO. She succeeds Jack Schwefel, who has left the company to pursue other opportunities after serving as Sur La Table’s CEO since 2007.

Neal served as CEO and president of Bath & Body Works from 2007 to 2011. She currently serves on the boards of several retail companies, including Abercrombie & Fitch Co. and Fossil Group Inc. Neal also held leadership positions at Gap and Target.

San Francisco - The RealReal, a provider of authenticated luxury consignment, has appointed Michael Groffenberger as senior category director of fine jewelry and watches. Just prior to joining The RealReal, Groffenberger was executive VP of Shreve, Crump & Low in Boston, prior to that he was a senior sales professional at Tourneau.

Groffenberger is filling a new position created by The RealReal, Groffenberger will run the department, overseeing the full-time staff of fine jewelry & watch expert authenticators.