OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

New York -- Barneys New York has launched a new credit card program that features an “Influencer tier” for added luxury benefits and incentives.

The new program expands on the My Barneys Bag platform, which offers card members reward points based on annual spend, and offers additional benefits – through the Influencer tier – to a select group of high spenders.

Dallas – Neiman Marcus is introducing a redesigned blog entitled, the blog. This replaces the brand's existing blog, NMdaily.

Brussels, Belgium – Delhaize Group has named Franz Muller as CEO, effective Nov. 8. Muller will succeed Pierre-Olivier Beckers, who will remain available to advise the new CEO until year-end and continue to serve on the board of directors in a non-executive capacity thereafter.

Muller, 52, has more than 15 years of senior leadership experience in retail, most recently as a member of the management board of Metro AG and CEO of Metro Cash & Carry. He will start with Delhaize on Oct. 14, prior to assuming the role of CEO.

Camp Hill, Pa. – Rite Aid Corp. has promoted Tammy Royer, a long-time member of Rite Aid’s pharmacy division, to group VP of managed care. In her new role, Royer will oversee all aspects of managed care, including contracting, maintaining relationships with managed care organizations, pharmacy benefit managers and third-party payers and developing new strategic partnerships.

Mooresville, N.C. -- Lowe’s Companies announced that Michael P. McDermott will join the company as senior VP and general merchandising manager- building and maintenance, a new position.

McDermott will be responsible for the lumber & building materials, millwork, hardware & tools and rough plumbing & electrical divisions. He will report to chief merchandising officer, Michael A. Jones.

Seattle -- Recreational Equipment (REI) named Jerry Stritzke as the company's president and CEO, effective Oct. 1, following an extensive national search. Stritzke most recently served as president and COO for Coach, which announced his resignation, effective Sept. 2.

New York -- The Kroger Co. will stop providing health insurance benefits for spouses on January 1, 2014, according to a recent agreement with several unions, Indiana Public Media reported.

New York -- Brinker International chairman Doug Brooks and First Horizon National Corp. CEO Bryan Jordan were elected to the AutoZone board of directors.

The addition of Brooks and Jordan give AutoZone a total of 11 board members. The company is due to report fourth quarter financial results on Sept. 25.