NEW YORK – A Sears executive at the Mobile FirstLook: Strategy 2012 conference yesterday said seven out of 10 smartphone owners have either shopped or browsed on their mobile device, proving that mobile is an opportunity for retailers to drive sales.

Sears Holdings Corp. is letting consumers buy online and pickup in-store via various mobile platforms, a key element of its strategy to drive sales by connecting its bricks-and-mortar stores to the digital world.

Retailers should be making full use of mobile commerce tools to drive their back-to-school promotions, according to a Sears executive.

In an exclusive interview, a Sears Holdings executive discussed the mobile strategy for Kmart and the retail giant’s mobile Web sites and smartphone applications.

Sears Holdings Corp. has launched the Sears Personal Shopper iPhone application that connects consumers with a live personal shopper.

Retail giant Sears Holdings Corp.—which includes Sears and Kmart—is tapping IBM’s software to deliver a personalized and more interactive shopping experience for the exploding population of mobile users worldwide.