Strategy

San Jose, Calif. -- Orchard Supply Hardware Stores Corp. announced that its spin-off from Sears Holdings Corporation was completed at 11:59 p.m. EST on December 30, 2011. Trading of Orchard’s Class A Common Stock will begin Tuesday on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “OSH”.

Colorado Springs, Col. -- PriceAdvantage, a division of Skyline Products, announced that Parker's Convenience Stores has successfully completed its rollout of PriceAdvantage Enterprise. The software offering from Skyline allows companies like Parker's to automate and streamline the process of changing fuel prices at their stores.

New York City -- Sears has given store associates more than 5,000 Apple iPads and 11,000 iPod touches to track inventory and customer orders, Lou D’Ambrosio, CEO, Sears Holdings Corp., said in a Bloomberg report.

In the article, D’Ambrosio also took on critics who have complained that Sears has not invested enough in its stores. The chain is spending less than a quarter of the $8 a square foot that retailers typically invest to maintain stores, according to International Strategy & Investment Group, according to the report.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears Holdings hired Ron Boire as EVP and chief merchandising officer. Boire, who previously was president and CEO of Brookstone, will lead merchandising and retail stores for both the Sears and Kmart brands.  

He will work with our leadership team to better serve our customers and Shop Your Way Rewards Members by integrating their experiences across our stores, online, services, and mobile capabilities, the company said.

Seattle -- Global architecture and design firm Callison has acquired New York-based Barteluce Architects & Associates.

The move expands Callison’s  luxury retail client base and strengthens its delivery capabilities, expanding its New York team to about 75 architects.

The analysts at Morningstar combed through 330 consumer sector companies and came up with a list of 10 names that comprise the firm’s new “Consumers’ Choice List. 

New York City -- Sears Holdings Corp. has identified 79 of the 100 to 120 Sears and Kmart stores it said last week it would close, with the preliminary list split almost evenly between the two chains.

Florida will be hit the hardest, with 11 stores to be shuttered, the Associated Press reported. Ohio, Michigan and Georgia are not far behind with six store closures planned in their states. Tennessee, North Carolina and Minnesota are set to lose four stores each.

Dallas -- PeopleAnswers announced a new agreement in which BJ’s Wholesale Club will use the PeopleAnswers’ solution to help select team members in all locations across 15 eastern states.