OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

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. 

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. 

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.  

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.

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.   

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.  

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.

Petaluma, Calif. -– Revenue coming from smartphones grew 141% year-over-year during the third quarter of fiscal 2014. According to a study from e-commerce platform provider Market Live, cultural shifts in shopping habits are revealing changes in traditional metrics; for example, mobile is creating a trend toward lower conversion rates and shorter time-on-site metrics caused by more shoppers researching products on their mobile phones and completing their purchases at a later time.