OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

New York -- Wal-Mart Stores reported in a regulatory filing that its investigation into violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, a federal antibribery law, has extended beyond Mexico to China, India and Brazil.  

Austin, Texas -- Online coupon site RetailMeNot.com on Friday released its second annual Black Friday edition of the Shoppers Trend Report, which showed that 71% of holiday shoppers plan to spend “about the same” or “more” than they spent last year versus 63% who said "about the same" or "more" in 2011.

Portland, Ore. -- The city council of Portland, Ore., voted to expand the city's one-year old plastic bag ban, voting 5-0 to phase out plastic checkout bags at an estimated 5,000 restaurants and retailers.

The ban will impact retailers larger than 10,000 -sq.-ft. on March 1, 2013, and the remaining retailers on October 1, 2013. Portland's 2011 rule affected fewer than 200 businesses.

Retailers will still be able to provide plastic bags for bulk items, produce, meats, dry cleaning and prescription drugs.

Toronto -- Sears Canada Inc. announced Friday that Douglas C. Campbell has been promoted to executive VP and COO, effective immediately.

Campbell will oversee retail operations, logistics, replenishment, information technology and international sourcing, and lead the company's undertaking to improve efficiency across the enterprise.

Campbell was most recently executive VP, home and hardlines, for the chain.

Minneapolis -- Supervalu on Friday said it would implement a pay freeze for all employees at its corporate headquarters and said it would also reduce or suspend matching contributions to workers’ 401(k) plans, effective next year.

Amsterdam, the Netherlands -- Royal Ahold announced Thursday it has named James McCann as COO of Ahold USA, effective Jan. 1.

McCann, who is the company’s current chief commercial and development officer, replaces Carl Schlicker, who is retiring.

Phoenix -- Manthan Systems announced that Sprouts Farmers Markets has selected Manthan’s ARC platform for enterprise-wide reporting and analytics. Currently operating 148 retail stores across eight states, Sprouts Farmers Markets has become synonymous with fresh produce, great prices and old-fashioned customer service.

Atlanta -- A majority of retailers say delivering a consistent customer experience is their top priority this holiday season, according to a new survey.

Supply chain and retail technology provider RedPrairie released results of its “Holiday Hiring Snapshot” survey of 250 big-box, specialty, grocery, convenience store and food service retailers based in the United States, finding that nearly 60% cited the importance of consistency, with 29% saying they would hire more seasonal workers this year than last year.