Supply Chain & Merchandising

Walmart U.S. has delivered three consecutive months of positive same store sales. That means big plans for growth through 2013 even though operating expenditures will decrease significantly. New stores will add between 45 and 49 million square feet worldwide in the next fiscal year. The company also forecasted sales growth between 5 and 7 percent for fiscal year 2013.

The deal is valued at $680 million in cash, and includes brands such as Thomas & Friends, Barney, Bob the Builder, Fireman Sam and Angelina Ballerina.

Oracle recently praised consumer goods companies for business achievements driving operational excellence and enabling growth using technology, innovative strategies and best practices.

In the consumer goods community, leaders know that keeping your success a secret can be a detriment to your business. Luckily, many are more than open to not only sharing but celebrating the best practices of their peers. Case in point: CGT received more than 50 nominations for its annual Business & Technology Leadership Awards. In the end, only nine companies were named winners. Find out who they are after the jump.

Today's supply chain is challenged by increasing variability, uncertainty and complexity. There is a need to plan globally to execute locally, but the intricacies are daunting. Find out how Conair and Newell Rubbermaid are tackling the challenge with technology.

Inventure Foods, Inc. expands its successful line of Jamba All Natural Smoothies with a new tropically inspired "at home" smoothie flavor.

Sun-Maid has never had a product recall, but that doesn't mean the company isn't prepared for one. As a major contributor to the Rapid Recall Exchange, Sun-Maid points to some of the features that make it an important part of the company's product recall and market withdrawal process.