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Consumer Affairs & Relations

  • Build-A-Bear Workshop completes strategic review

    Build-A-Bear Workshop is holding steady.   The specialty retailer's board of directors has completed its review of strategic alternatives and authorized a share repurchase program of up to $20 million. Build-A-Bear initiated the review in May 2016 after a sharp decline in net income in its first quarter, saying at the time that it would consider "all" options to boost shareholder equity, including a sale.     

  • H&R Block taps former Target and Uber exec as CEO

    The man who resigned from the number two position at Uber after six months on the job has been named chief executive of the nation's largest tax preparer.   H&R Block named Jeffrey J. Jones II president and CEO, effective Oct. 9, 2017. He will succeed Tom Gerke, who will continue to serve as interim president and CEO until then. Gerke will remain general counsel and chief administrative officer.  

  • Milestone store opening for Dollar General

    Dollar General is celebrating an important milestone.   The discounter has opened its 14,000th retail location. The store is located in Dauphin, Pa.   “Dollar General is excited to celebrate our company’s continued growth by celebrating our 14,000th store grand opening today,” said Todd Vasos, CEO, Dollar General. “For nearly 80 years, Dollar General has continually been focused on delivering everyday low prices, convenience and value to the communities we serve."  

  • Westwood names DDR veteran to head finance

    Westwood Financial hired away DDR’s finance chief, hailing the move as central to its evolution from a “real estate sponsor into a sophisticated real estate institution,” according to Co-CEO Randy Banchik.   New Executive VP Matt Lougee will facilitate financing for Westwood’s retail investments, oversee capital formation and investor relations, and negotiate joint ventures. Lougee spent the entirety of his career to date at DDR, departing the company as senior VP of finance.  

  • Sears Canada chairman to make bid for troubled chain

    There's a new person running things at Sears Canada.    Brandon Stranzl, executive chairman of Sears Canada has been removed from his day-to-day responsibilities of running the company in order to work on a management bid for the retailer, the Globe & Mail reported. Sears COO Becky Penrice is now leading the chain's executive team.   

  • Consumer confidence high — at least for the time being

    U.S. consumer sentiment rose to its highest level since January in early August, reflecting optimism in the overall economy and in personal financial prospects.     The University of Michigan's consumer sentiment index rose to 97.6 in the first half of August from 93.4 in July, which was an eight-month low.  Economists estimated the index would hit 94 in August.   

  • Walmart CEO: Trump missed ‘critical opportunity’ to unite country

    The CEO of the nation's largest private employer has criticized the administration’s response to the violent protests in Charlottesville, Virginia.    In a note to Walmart employees posted on the company's website, CEO Doug McMillon said that President Trump "missed a critical opportunity" in his initial reaction to the "tragic events" that occurred in Charlottesville, Va. But he called Trump's follow-up remarks on Monday "a step in the right direction."  

  • Moody's: Amazon to ‘kick start’ its grocery business with purchase of Whole Foods Market

    Moody's Investor Services is feeling positive about Amazon's plans to acquire Whole Foods Market.     The ratings agency assigned the deal a Baa1 rating and revised Amazon’s credit outlook to positive from stable, reported Marketwatch. The report also said that Amazon is planning to issue up to $16 million in debt to fund the online giant's acquisition of Whole Foods.  

  • J.C. Penney loss widens on store closing efforts; to boost apparel

    Liquidation efforts took a toll on J.C. Penney in its second quarter, which reported earnings and same-store sales below estimates.    Penney's net loss widened to $62 million in the quarter ended July 29, or 20 cents per share, from $56 million, or 18 cents per share, in the year-ago period.   

  • CEO turnover up in July — and not just in retail

    The month of July saw a big turnover at the top.  
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