OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

Sandy Springs, Ga. -- Online consumers in the United States are motivated by the ability to conduct transactions across multiple channels with convenience and positive shipping experiences. These are two of the key findings of a new study from UPS and comScore, “Pulse of the Online Shopper.”

Englewood, Colo. -- Sports Authority has named Stephen Binkley, formerly senior VP of merchandising and softlines, as its new chief merchandising officer. He replaces Greg Waters, formerly executive VP, chief merchant and chief marketing officer, who has decided to leave the company after 24 years to pursue personal interests.

During his tenure at Sports Authority, Waters held several leadership roles.

OAK BROOK, Ill. — J.C. Penney is donating a 5,500-square-foot center in the North Riverside Park Mall in North Riverside, Illinois to assist efforts of the Cook County Regional Organized Crime Task Force in combating retail organized crime. The center will house law enforcement offices for various police departments, government agencies and retailers for the purpose of hands-on training and collaboration.

CANTON, Mass. — Dunkin’ Donuts recently opened two new stores at Great Wolf Lodge resorts in Michigan and Virginia. These are the second and third restaurants to open from a franchising agreement between Dunkin' Donuts and Great Wolf Resorts, which debuted its first Dunkin' Donuts location in 2009 at the Great Wolf Lodge in Concord, N.C.

New York -- Walmart had the top online retail site for back-to-school shoppers last week, according to sales data and analysis from Experian Marketing Services (EMS). Rounding out the top five: J.C. Penney, Macy’s, Office Max and Sears. 

Experian noted that brick and mortar stores are getting the majority of search traffic to date. The company also said that offers in subject lines were present on 37% of back- to-school email, and generated 57% of total email revenue in 2012. 

NEW YORK — Consumer confidence in July rose to the highest level in six years as Americans’ views of their finances and the economy improved, according to the the Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan index of consumer sentiment.

The index increased to 85.1 in July from 84.1 at the end of June. It was the highest level since July 2007.

Consumers said they were move favorable toward making purchases, including automobiles and homes.

Seattle -- Amazon said it will hire more than 5,000 full-time workers in its U.S. fulfillment centers and 2,000 customer service staff, including part-time and seasonal employees, to meet growing customer demand.

The company said it will immediately begin hiring at 17 fulfillment centers for tasks that include picking items from warehouse shelves, packing them for delivery and operating new technology installed to streamline operations.

New York -- Consumers continue to hold tight to their purse strings and will rely heavily on online and mobile channels while they shop, according to Deloitte’s annual “Back-to-School” and “Back-to-College” surveys. 

Shoppers are far more optimistic about the economy than this time last year. Nearly four in 10 (37%) are more confident in the economy’s prospects, compared with just one-quarter (26%) a year ago.