OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

Freeport, Maine -- L.L. Bean has launched a mobile commerce website that allows shoppers the ability to search, browse, purchase and read product ratings and reviews from any Internet-enabled mobile phone.

Key features of L.L. Bean’s new mobile shopping experience include: site search, store finder, L.L. Bean Visa Card coupon lookup, click to call customer service, ratings and reviews, e-mail sign up and complete product descriptions.

Atlanta -- Citi announced Thursday that it has renewed its U.S. private-label credit card partnership with Office Depot.
 
“The Office Depot Business Credit Card and the Office Depot Personal Credit Card both provide our customers with the increased spending power they need in these economic times,” said George Hill, senior VP store operations, Office Depot.

New York City -- The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission settled a lawsuit with Target Corp. regarding the rights of a disabled cart attendant in California's Orange County, the Associated Press reported.

Court papers filed on Tuesday reveal that Target agreed to pay former employee Jeremy Schott $160,000 and develop policies to respond to disabled employees' needs, the report said.

New York City -- Survey results released Tuesday showed that higher salaries, job mobility, and a strong emphasis on “quality of life” benefits are redefining the job market in retail and fashion.

According to 24 Seven’s Fifth Annual Salary Survey, conducted in collaboration with the American Apparel & Footwear Association, 68% of respondents plan to make a career move in the next year, with nearly half already looking for a new job.

Atlanta -- CDC Software Corp. announced Tuesday that Hamburg, Germany-based Hermes Fulfilment, part of multichannel retailer Otto Group, is using the cloud-based CDC e-commerce platform to help deliver e-commerce and multichannel retail services to its global customers.

Already, Hermes Fulfilment is using CDC e-commerce to power the online storefront of Wolford, a global manufacturer and marketer of upscale hosiery, lingerie, and ready-to-wear items. CDC e-commerce’s platform is initially being used in Wolford’s online ordering system.

Bangalore, India -- According to multiple reports on Monday, India’s largest retailer has hired two former executives of Wal-Mart Stores’ China operations as its two top executives.

Reliance Industries Ltd., which operates 1,000 retail stores across India selling everything from produce to electronics, has named Rob Cissell as CEO of Reliance Retail Ltd. and has named Shawn Gray as COO.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores announced Friday that its U.K.-based Asda unit has promoted Judity McKenna to the position of COO.

McKenna is currently Asda’s finance director.

Washington, D.C. -- A report released Thursday by Bloomberg said that consumer confidence reached its highest level in 10 weeks, thanks to falling gas prices and despite a 9.1% unemployment rate.

The Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index increased to minus 43.9 for the period ended June 26, after dropping to minus 44.9 the prior week. According to the report, falling fuel costs are reducing consumer stress.