Associations

Washington, D.C. -- Driven by stronger same-store sales and customer traffic and a more optimistic outlook among restaurant operators, the National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Performance Index 's rose to a 10-month high in March. The RPI – a monthly composite index that tracks the health of and outlook for the U.S. restaurant industry – stood at 101.4 in March, up 0.9 percent from February's level of 100.5.  

The ABF Freight division of Arkansas Best Corporation was named a “Carrier of the Year,” for the second consecutive year by a leading supply chain organization.

The Fort Smith, Ark.-based company received the National LTL Carrier of the Year Award from the National Shippers Strategic Transportation Council (NASSTRAC). ABF also won the award in 2013, 2011 and 2010.

Seattle -- REI's members recently elected two new directors to represent their interests on the co-op's board of directors.

Karen E. (Kari) Glover and Sharon Philpott were elected to three-year terms and Cheryl Scott was re-elected to a three-year term. Earlier in the year, the REI board re-appointed Chloe Harford and Matt Compton to one-year terms.

Deerfield Park, Ill. - Walgreens is launching the 2014 Walgreens Way to Well Health Tour with AARP. For six years, Walgreens and AARP have conducted the community outreach program dedicated to providing free preventive and early detection health services to communities across the country.

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has elected new officers, one new executive committee member and three new board of directors members for the coming year during its annual meeting this weekend.

John Standley, chairman and CEO of Rite Aid, was elected as the new NACDS chairman of the board of directors. Standley succeeds Robert Narveson, president and CEO of Thrifty White Pharmacy. Additionally, Juan Ortiz, CEO Navarro Discount Pharmacies, was named vice chairman and Randall Edeker, chairman and CEO Hy-Vee, was elected treasurer.

Kellogg Company's board of directors has elected president and CEO John A. Bryant as chairman, effective July 1. Current Chairman James M. Jenness will remain on the board as a non-executive director.

Bryant has been a member of the company's board of directors since July 2010. He has been president and CEO since January 2011. Bryant joined Kellogg in 1998. Prior to becoming CEO, he held a variety of key senior leadership roles including CFO, president of Kellogg North America, president of Kellogg International and COO.

Washington, D.C. – U.S. consumers spent more than $21 billion on video game content, hardware and accessories in 2013. According to a new report from the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), the trade association representing the U.S. video game industry, called “2014 Essential Facts about the Computer and Video Game Industry,” 181.3 million Americans play video games.

Other findings from the report include:

• 51% of U.S. households own a game console, and those that do own an average of two;

The National Retail Federation’s ongoing effort to highlight the industry’s value and career opportunities have been expanded with two new initiatives.

Washington, D.C. -- The American Postal Workers Union will stage a protest in Staples stores across 27 states on Thursday, in objection to the office supply retailer’s opening of in-store postal counters staffed by Staples employees.

In 2013, Staples launched its postal pilot program, introducing in-store postal services that today includes about 80 stores. According to a report by the Associated Press, the union objects because the program replaces well-paid union workers with low-wage nonunion workers.

Washington, D.C. - The National Retail Federation (NRF) was recognized on Earth Day, April 22, by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with its 2014 SmartWay Affiliate Challenge award. The EPA recognized NRF for supporting policies and practices that reduce truck emissions and enhance freight efficiency.

The SmartWay Affiliate Challenge is a national challenge developed by the EPA to acknowledge organizations that do an exceptional job supporting the partnership’s freight sustainability goals.