OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Holdings Corp. said Friday that both its Sears and Kmart banners would waive layaway fees for the holidays, allowing shoppers to open interest-free pay-over-time programs at both stores and online with no customary initial fees. Kmart’s program will run through Nov. 17, but Sears Holdings had yet to set a timeframe for its namesake stores.

In the past, Kmart and Sears have charged $5 for an eight-week layaway contract and $10 for the 12-week program.

City of Industry, Calif. -- Hot Topic announced that Jerry Cook has resigned as chief store officer, effective February 28, 2013. He is leaving the company to relocate his family to Texas, and will pursue other professional opportunities.

Deerfield, Ill. -- Walgreens said that customers can begin online enrollment into its new customer loyalty program, Balance Rewards. Customers who join online before the official program launch on Sept. 16 will have a chance to enter the chain’s 10 Million Point Giveaway sweepstakes. 

Chelmsford, Mass. -- A report released Thursday by workforce management solution-provider Kronos Inc. found that retail experienced gains in job applications and hiring during the month of August.

Dallas -- PeopleAnswers and Real Mex Restaurants said Thursday the pair has executed a software licensing agreement that will bring the PeopleAnswers HR solution to Real Mex for pre-screening, selecting and hiring managers.

Dallas -- Loyalty solution-provider Alliance Data Systems Corp. said Thursday that its Canadian coalition loyalty business has signed a new agreement with Michaels of Canada, a subsidiary of Irving, Texas-based Michaels Stores, to issue Air Miles reward miles across multiple Canadian provinces.

Peterborough, N.H. -- Eastern Mountain Sports said Tuesday it has launched its first customer rewards program; effective Sept. 1, the outdoor retailer debuted the EMS Rewards which allows customers to earn points on purchases.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores said Tuesday it has lowered its holiday layaway fee from $15 to $5, saying that the move is in response to customer feedback.

Customers may begin to open layaway accounts under the new fee arrangement on Sept. 15, and it runs through Dec. 14.

According to Duncan Mac Naughton, chief merchandising and marketing officer, Walmart U.S., “this is a direct response to feedback we received since announcing this year's Holiday Layaway program. [It] makes Walmart more competitive in the marketplace.”