OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

Whiting, Ind. -- More than one-quarter (27%) of U.S. adults will use their smartphone or tablet for their holiday shopping this year, according to new survey by CouponCabin.com. In addition, 83% of those who will use their smartphone for holiday shopping this year report they will be doing so because of the convenience.

The survey was conducted online nationwide by Harris Interactive on behalf of CouponCabin.com from Sept. 26 – Sept. 28, 2012 among 2,523 U.S. adults aged 18 and older.

Chicago -- OfficeMax announced that it has appointed Kim Feil as executive VP and chief marketing and strategy officer, effective Nov. 12.

Feil will have accountability for all aspects of marketing across the enterprise, with particular emphasis on brand management and evolution of the company's traditional marketing vehicles to new media including digital and social.

Most recently, Feil served as chief marketing officer and corporate VP for Walgreens.

New York -- The Jones Group Inc.  announced the promotion of Cynthia DiPietrantonio to COO, effective immediately.

In this expanded role, DiPietrantonio will oversee production in The Jones Group's overseas facilities, including its production offices in China and Hong Kong, in addition to her current responsibilities overseeing the day-to-day operations of the company. DiPietrantonio, the senior-most operations executive, has been with The Jones Group in several capacities over the past 30 years.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Holdings Corp. said Friday it has named Ryan Vero senior VP and president, Grocery, Drug and Pharmacy.

Vero most recently served as the executive VP and chief merchandising/marketing officer for OfficeMax. He spend 17 years with the office supply retailer and was most recently responsible for merchandising, marketing, new channels, and e-commerce business, in addition to global sourcing, private brands, product development and pricing.
 

New York -- Supervalu Inc. is cutting 700 positions at its Shaw’s and Star Market divisions in New England.

The company said Friday that the job cuts will take place in 169 Shaw's and Star Market stores.

Chicago — Black Friday will be the single biggest sales and foot traffic day of this holiday season, followed by Saturday, Dec. 22, according to ShopperTrak, the world’s largest counter and analyzer of retail foot traffic. With the greatest possible number of shopping days — 32 — lying between Black Friday and Christmas this year, ShopperTrak predicts that national retail sales will rise 3.3% (over last year) during the peak holiday shopping months of November and December; retail foot traffic will increase 2.8%.

Naperville, Ill. -- OfficeMax Inc. announced that its U.S. contract business will now go to market as OfficeMax Workplace.

The company said the new name reflects its commitment to developing strategic relationships with a wide array of customers including businesses, universities, hospitals, schools and local governments to provide them with tailored solutions specific to the unique needs of their workplace.

Minneapolis -- Target Corp. unveiled its lineup of gift cards for the upcoming holiday season. The expanded assortment, which include traditional gift cards with holiday and multicultural designs, and digital options, will be available in stores on Nov. 4