Associations

Visa and MasterCard on Friday announced a proposed $6.6 billion settlement to a long-running dispute over the fees they charge merchants, but one major trade group was clearly annoyed at the prospect.

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. — A Grocery Manufacturers Association executive is taking on a new role at Hillshire Brands.

Dennis Belcastro has been named VP government and industry affairs for Hillshire Brands and will be responsible for developing and implementing the company's engagement strategy with federal, state and local elected officials, regulatory agencies and key policy-makers, in addition to managing strategic customer and industry events. Belcastro officially steps into his new role on July 30.

Walmart president and CEO Mike Duke is the newest inductee into the Network of Executive Women’s CPG/Retail Diversity Hall of Fame. For a recap and photos of the event, click here.



 

New York -- The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) urged the International Longshoremen’s Association and the United States Maritime Alliance to reach a contract agreement well in advance of the Sept. 30 deadline in order to prevent a disruption to the flow of goods.

The ongoing labor negotiations affect 14 East and Gulf Coast ports, which together account for 95% of all containerized shipments to the Eastern seaboard.

LOS ANGELES — Katie Bayne, president and general manager of sparkling beverages for Coca-Cole North America, has been elected to the American Film Institute's board of trustees.

RALEIGH, N.C. — Kerr Drug has promoted Mark Gregory to SVP store operations, effectively immediately, the regional retail pharmacy chain said Monday.

Gregory, who was previously VP pharmacy and government affairs, will report directly to president and CEO Anthony Civello. He also is the company's privacy officer and chairman of its political action committee.

Washington, D.C. -- Import cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports is expected to increase 1.6% in July compared with the same month last year, and modest year-over-year increases are expected through the holiday season shipping cycle, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released Tuesday by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

NORTHBROOK, Ill. — Hilco Trading has named Gary Epstein as chief marketing officer for the company. Epstein will be responsible for Hilco’s overall marketing strategy and execution, branding, market research, etc. across all of the operating companies. Epstein will be taking over the role from Rick Kaye, who has held the position for more than 10 years and will remain with the organization as an EVP until January 2013.