OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears has launched SearsLocalAd.com, an online service that provides customers with access to additional local deals beyond the weekly Sears print circular or Sears.com. The online shopping portal is dedicated to local customers, allowing them to shop smarter by previewing new local deals updated every week, and includes enhancements for Sears' Shop Your Way Rewards members.

Merrimack, N.H. -- Brookstone has introduced automatic free shipping on all orders over $99 through Brookstone.com.

Orders less than $99 will automatically ship for a flat rate of $4.99.  Brookstone has also extended its customer care center hours to provide longer customer support hours and round-the-clock catalog ordering by phone.

Toronto -- Sears Canada is launching a “hassle-free” return policy that includes a satisfaction guarantee with every purchase. If not completely satisfied, customers can now exchange or return almost all products within 30 days -- or 90 days if they use their Sears card.

The new policy is part of a new push by Sears to provide “exceptional” customer service. This week, Sears associates across Canada will sign a customer service pledge. 

New York -- Dressbarn, a subsidiary of Ascena Retail Group Inc., has launched a social and interactive campaign, called Share Your (MOM)ent, for Mother's Day. The campaign's integrated web and mobile site was designed and developed by Manhattan-based agency Conversation.

The campaign encourages consumers to upload a photo, video or written memory of anyone who has ever given them a warm and fuzzy mom-like feeling, and to share it with others via social networks and a customizable e-card.

Chelmsford, Mass. -- The Kronos Retail Labor Index edged down to 3.8% in April from a March level that was revised three-tenths lower. Even with declines over the last two months, the Retail Labor Index remains above levels seen over the last few years, averaging 4.0% over the first four months of this year, up from 3.5% last year. (The Index is defined as the ratio of hires to applications within a given month, expressed as a percentage. A level of 3.0) means that for every 100 applications received, three hires occurred)

Dallas -- J. C. Penney Co. said that Ken Hannah has been named CFO, effective May 7.

Hannah, who brings over 20 years of finance, operations and audit experience from a wide range of leading companies that include General Electric, Boeing and The Home Depot, has spent the last six years at MEMC Electronic Materials, where he served as president of solar energy, responsible for improving process discipline, simplifying the organization and reducing cost to drive growth in the company's solar business

New York -- Best Buy’s chief marketing officer, Barry Judge, has resigned. His resignation follows the departure last month of chief executive Brian Dunn.

Judge is “leaving the company to explore the next chapter in his career,” Greg Hitt, a spokesman for Best Buy, said by e-mail, in a Bloomberg report.

Westlake Village, Calif. -- Academy Sports + Outdoors ranks highest in customer satisfaction, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2012 Sporting Goods Retailer Satisfaction Report. The inaugural report measures the overall sporting goods retailer customer satisfaction experience by examining five key factors: staff, cost, facility, merchandise and sales/promotions.