OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

Hong Kong -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is changing the management structure of its Asia operation with a series of promotions. Scott Price, currently president and CEO of Walmart Asia, will move to a senior management role as executive VP, international strategy and development, real estate, mergers and acquisitions, integration and purchase leverage, based at Wal-Mart's world headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas.

Toronto - OfficeMax Grand & Toy, an affiliate of Office Depot, Inc., will close all of its 19 Canadian retail stores. OfficeMax Grand & Toy will continue to service its business customers via the company’s e-commerce website, customer service centers and direct sales representatives.

Woonsocket, R.I. - CVS/pharmacy has expanded the ExtraCare loyalty program, allowing members to send more of their savings and rewards directly to their ExtraCare cards. Through the Send to Card feature, ExtraCare cardholders can now digitally send all personalized offers available on CVS.com and the CVS Mobile app, as well as coupons received via email, to their cards in a single click.

Send to Card was first introduced in 2011 and provided a digital option for select coupons and rewards. Now, ExtraCare members can send more coupons to their cards.

Woonsocket, R.I. -- CVS/pharmacy announced that it is teaming with The Partnership at Drugfree.org to create a community donation program that presents drug collection units to police departments across the country.

Through the Medication Disposal for Safer Communities program, local police departments can apply to receive a drug collection unit to help their communities safely dispose of unwanted medications, including controlled substances.

Mooresville, N.C. -- Lowe’s Cos. has named Joseph M. (Mike) Mabry as strategy and experience design executive, replacing Robert J. Gfeller who left the company last month.

Michael P. McDermott has been promoted to chief merchandising officer, replacing Michael A. Jones, who will assume the role of chief customer officer, effective April 30.

Westport, Conn. – Luxury retailer Mitchells Family of Stores has selected ThoughtWorks to create the next generation of customer engagement experiences. ThoughtWorks delivered a customized technology platform that enables digital collaboration and interaction between the sales associates and their customers.  

Salt Lake City -- Overstock.com, Inc. has promoted Seth Marks to the position of senior VP of merchandising and strategic sourcing for the online shopping site.

Marks began his work at Overstock.com in 2013, and has served as VP of sales and special acquisitions. Previously, he co-founded Big Lots Capital, the special acquisitions arm of Big Lots, Inc., and served there as the VP of merchandising.  He also was chief marketing officer and Acquisition Group president of Tuesday Morning Corp.

Franklin, Tenn. – China was the fastest-growing country in Asia during 2013 in terms of new POS terminal installed. According to a new report from IHL Group, “Asia/Pacific POS Terminal Study,” China had 12% year-over-year growth in year-over-year POS terminal installations.

The Asia/Pacific region as a whole experienced 6.5% POS terminal growth. Other findings include that uncertainty about foreign ownership of retailers slowed POS growth in India to 8% and that Vietnam was the newest hot market for new POS devices.