Transform SR Brands LLC

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Holdings Corp. announced Tuesday that it has named David Lukes as president, real estate development for the company.

Lukes was previously president and CEO of real estate firm Mall Properties.

Lukes has been charged with leading Sears’ efforts to further develop its real estate assets, including those that are now non-retail.

New York -- The CEO of Sears Holdings Corp., Louis D'Ambrosio, received a compensation package in 2011 whose value was put at $9.9 million, according to a proxy statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

D'Ambrosio joined the company in February 2011. He received a base salary of $931,000. His stock awards totaled $8 million and his bonus was $150,000.

Toronto -- Sears Financial has launched an online points redemption system for its five million plus card members, making it one of the first major retail loyalty programs in Canada to do so.

By Tim Callan, timcallan.blogspot.com

With store closures and falling revenue threatening major retail chains, maximizing store productivity is more important than ever before. While it’s been proven for many years that website analytics can drive dramatic improvement in online retail environments, so far most brick-and-mortar retailers are engaged in only rudimentary measurement.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Select Sears hometown dealer stores and Sears Hardware stores were the latest to hit the chopping block at Sears Holdings, as the company continues to implement plans to reduce expenses. The company revealed in a Wednesday document that it will close 43 Sears hometown dealer stores and 10 Sears Hardware stores over the first half of 2012.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Select Sears hometown dealer stores and Sears Hardware stores were the latest to hit the chopping block at Sears Holdings, as the company continues to implement plans to reduce expenses. The company revealed in a Wednesday document that it will close 43 Sears hometown dealer stores and 10 Sears Hardware stores over the first half of 2012.

NAPERVILLE, Ill. — OfficeMax has named a new executive to lead its merchandising initiatives including category management, strategic product planning, global sourcing, private label expansion and cost of goods sold. The company anounced that  Ronald Lalla has been named EVP, chief merchandising officer, effective Monday, March 19. He will report to Michael Lewis, EVP, president retail.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Holdings Corp. revealed in a Wednesday document that it will close 43 Sears hometown dealer stores and 10 Sears Hardware stores over the first half of 2012.

The information came from the retailer’s annual report, filed late Wednesday, and is consistent with previously announced plans to close up to 120 underperforming Sears and Kmart stores and all nine of its remaining Great Indoors stores.