OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

Boca Raton, Fla. -- Office Depot announced the launch of Office Depot Merchant Services, an electronic payment processing service for small and medium-sized businesses.

New York City -- Wal-Mart Stores is cutting back healthcare coverage for new part-time workers and significantly raising premiums for many new full-time associates, the New York Times reported. It is a major turnaround for the retailer which, a few years back, under heavy criticism that many of its 1.4 million workers could not afford or did not qualify for coverage, expanded coverage for employees and their families. The move generated of flurry of positive publicity.

New York City -- While 43% of smartphone owners have installed and used a retailer's app, only 14% of those who installed them say the app led to a purchase decision, according to the most recent Retrevo Pulse Study, an ongoing study of tech industry trends conducted for the consumer electronics shopping and review site.

New York City -- Barnes & Noble said its CFO Joseph Lombardi has resigned and the company is starting a search to replace him. Lombardi will stay on with the company until mid-2012 to assist in the transition as the company undertakes an executive search for a new CFO.

Corporate controller Allen Lindstrom will take over CFO duties until a replacement is named.
 

Cape Town, South Africa -- A Thursday report by Bloomberg said that South Africa’s Competition Appeal Court began hearing a government lawsuit filed to compel regulators to review a decision allowing Wal-Mart Stores to acquire 51% interest in Massmart Holdings Ltd.

Redmond, Wash. -- PlayNetwork said Thursday it has completed the audio/visual installation at Uniqlo’s new global 89,000-sq.-ft. flagship store on Fifth Ave. in New York City, the retailer’s largest store to date.

The installation features more than 300 LCD video displays and 175 audio speakers, providing a full digital media experience. Custom LED video installations in the glass elevators and storefront windows and LED “tunnel ticker” displays were developed by PlayNetwork in conjunction with partner D3 LED.

New York City -- Barnes & Noble said Thursday it has expanded its BN.com Marketplace, adding over one million new products to the catalog.

The retailer also announced online third-party partnerships with Wayfair.com, Right Start, UnbeatableSale.com, School Specialty, Abe’s of Maine, Delivery Agent and more.

BN.com Marketplace has introduced five new categories including Home and Gift, Consumer Electronics, Arts and Crafts, Toys and Games and Baby.

New York City -- Apple is closing its stores for several hours on Wednesday so employees can watch a webcast of a memorial service celebrating the life of Apple co-founder and CEO Steve Jobs, the Associated Press reported.

The service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday at company headquarters in Cupertino, Calif. It will be webcast to employees worldwide.

The service reportedly will take place in the campus' outdoor amphitheater, according to Cook's email.