OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

Washington, D.C. -- A report released Thursday by the Labor Department said that U.S. claims for initial jobless benefits last week posted their biggest decline in nearly a year.

The drop erased the holiday-related spike, and illustrated that a healthier labor market remains intact.

Minneapolis -- Target Corp. said that it has promoted Tony Fisher to president of Target Canada as the retailer prepares to open its first stores in the country. He will be responsible for building the team, establishing the headquarters and leading the day-to-day operations of the corporation's recently announced expansion into Canada.

The chain tapped an 11-year employee to lead its Canadian business. Last week, Target announced it bought 220 Zeller's leaseholds and it plans to open between 100 and 150 Target stores in Canada beginning in 2013.

Woonsocket, R.I. -- CVS Caremark Corp. said Tuesday it is resuming its search for a new president of its pharmacy operations in view of Wal-Mart Stores’ lawsuit to block its previous choice.

Woonsocket, R.I. -- CVS Caremark said Tuesday that it has appointed its two highest ranking retail executives to jointly lead the company’s CVS/pharmacy business, effectively immediately.

Mike Bloom, executive VP merchandising and supply chain, and Scott Baker, executive VP internal operations and real estate, will jointly manage the chain’s retail business until CVS completes its search for a new president.

Sarasota, Fla. -- The Retail Industry Leaders Association said Tuesday that Bill Simon, president and CEO of Walmart Stores, along with Steven Preston, president and CEO of OakLeaf Waste management, have joined the RILA board of directors.

Simon replaces Walmart vice chairman and president and CEO of global e-commerce and global sourcing Eduardo Castro-Wright on the board.

The RILA board meets twice a year to discuss the issues facing retailers and to offer insight into the opportunities and challenges confronting the industry.

South Deerfield, Mass. -- The Yankee Candle Co. said Tuesday that John Fontana has joined the company as president of the international division.

The candle retailer and manufacturer also said that Hope Margala Klein has been promoted to senior VP brand design and innovation.

Chicago -- A survey released Tuesday by the e-tailing group said that nine merchants out of the 100 benchmarked excelled at online customer service.

According to the group’s 13th Annual Mystery Shopping Study, conducted during fourth quarter 2010, Lands’ End made the list for a third consecutive year. Coach and Saks Fifth Avenue are two-year repeat achievers.

New York City -- Duane Reade’s new store in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, N.Y. , boasts an unusual feature for a drug store: a beer bar. The bar is part of a larger effort by Duane Reade to recognize the strong identity and local needs of many New York City neighborhoods, the New York Times reported.

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