OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- The Michigan Small Business Development Center is honoring a Sears Appliance & Hardware store located in Big Rapids, Mich., with its 2013 Best Small Business Award for creating jobs, increasing sales and improving business strategy. The retailer was one of a dozen stores chosen from more than 5,500 small businesses throughout the state that the Michigan Small Business Development Center provided confidential counseling and training to in 2013.

San Diego -- Petco today that Brad Weston, currently executive VP, chief merchandising officer, has been named president of the company’s small-format division, Unleashed by Petco. In this newly created and expanded role, Weston will drive all future strategy and operations for Unleashed by Petco, while continuing to lead merchandising for the Petco brand.

Woonsocket, R.I. - CVS/pharmacy is launching a new service called Bill Pay at CVS/pharmacy in spring 2014 to help customers manage their monthly health insurance premiums. Members of participating health plans can bring their insurance bills to any CVS/pharmacy store in the U.S. to pay their premiums at no additional cost.

Cincinnati -- Associates working at Kroger stores in the Atlanta metro and surrounding area have ratified new labor agreements with UFCW Local 1996. The contracts cover 23,598 associates working in 163 stores in the Atlanta area and 12 in Savannah.

Irving, Texas -- Three months after the country’s largest arts and crafts chain revealed that its namesake and subsidiary stores had been hacked in what promised to be a major payment card security breach, Michaels Stores revealed late Thursday that 2.6 million cards were likely affected in the attack.

Minneapolis – Target has reportedly increased the number of goods it offers for sale via online subscription from 150 to more than 1,600. According to the Associated Press, Target has also broadened its subscription assortment from baby goods to categories including beauty and home goods.

Philadelphia -- Urban Outfitters Inc. has appointed Trish Donnelly to the role of president of Urban Outfitters brand, North America, effective July 14. She will report directly to Ted Marlow, CEO, Urban Outfitters Group.

Matthews, N.C. -- Harris Teeter announced Thursday it has launched a new, yearly payment option for its Express Lane Online Shopping program.

In addition to the $4.95 per order option and the $16.95 monthly option — already in place for shoppers who frequently use the service — shoppers can now choose to pay $99.95 for the entire year, allowing them to place as many orders as they would like throughout the year without incurring additional charges.