OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

Brussels -- Belgian supermarket operator Delhaize Group, which operates the Food Lion, Bottom Dollar Food, Harveys, Hannaford Supermarkets, Reid's and Sweetbay regional banners in the United States, said Thursday it will close 113 Food Lion stores and eliminate the Bloom banner as part of a reorganization. The Fool Lion stores slated for closure are primarily in markets in which the company has the least store density.

Atlanta -- Home Depot Inc. said Thursday that its spring hiring numbers match last year’s, with plans to bring on 70,000 seasonal workers for the spring season.

Last year, about half of the seasonal workers were hired permanently as cashiers, sales, lot and garden staffers.
 

New York City --

The government said it would lift the current 51% ownership limit on foreign companies that sell just one brand of products — a group that would include such companies as Gap, Apple and Starbucks — if they met certain strict conditions, the report said.

Deerfield, Ill. -- Walgreens’ chairman Alan G. McNally, president and CEO Gregory D. Wasson and executive VP and CFO Wade D. Miquelon on Wednesday outlined the company’s strategies for growth and value creation for shareholders at the chain’s annual shareholders meeting.

New York City -- Kohl's is the recipient of the People’s Pick award in The Harris Poll Customer Relationship Series, conducted by Harris Interactive. The award cognizes the strength of consumers' bonds with mid-tier department stores and reflects the customers' connections and future intentions.

New York City -- CM Design Studio announced that Tony Mancini has been appointed president of its Alex Cannon brand. The menswear brand is sold in shops at Lord & Taylor, Liverpool Mexico, and in better specialty stores nationwide.

New York City -- David Yurman on Wednesday announced that Glen T. Senk will join the fine-jewelry company as CEO, effective Feb. 27. Senk, who on Tuesday announced he was stepping down as CEO of Urban Outfitters, will take an ownership stake in the privately owned company.

New York City -- Discovery Communications said Tuesday that Liz Claiborne Inc. CFO Andrew Warren is joining the company as finance chief.

Warren will succeed Brad Singer, who said last year he would depart Discovery at the end of March.

Liz Claiborne recently disclosed that Warren was leaving the company, saying he was pursuing an opportunity "in the media industry."