Consumer Affairs & Relations

While Whole Foods Market and The Fresh Market struggle to eke out sales growth and profit, Sprouts Farmers Market is quietly emerging as a perennial winner in the grocery sector.

Sprouts reported its third quarter results this week, and the company's financials exceeded company guidance and even Wall Street estimates.

The grocery chain reported results for the 13-week third quarter ended Sept. 27 that included:

• Net sales of $903.1 million, an 18% increase from the same period in 2014

Whole Foods is trying to get its groove back, but after reporting weak fourth quarter results it is not clear when that will be as the company expressed concern about the competitive climate and the impact on its profit margins.

The Bon-Ton Stores Inc. has a new finance chief to help the company strengthen its balance sheet.

The retailer has named Nancy A. Walsh to the position of executive VP, CFO of the company, effective Nov. 9. Walsh will have responsibility for Accounting, Treasury, Tax, Credit, Investor Relations, Legal and Internal Audit.

Whole Foods is trying to get its groove back, but after reporting weak fourth quarter results, it is not clear when that will be as the company expressed concern about the competitive climate and the impact on its profit margins.

Lumber Liquidators has selected a banking executive to be its next CEO even as the company continues to struggle from the financial effects of a flooring scandal earlier this year.

The retailer has appointed board member and First Capital Bancorp veteran John Presley as CEO, replacing founder and acting CEO Thomas Sullivan. Sullivan will remain on the board as founder.

American Eagle Outfitters is adding brands to its portfolio that could diversify the company's reach and eventually lead to new store formats.

American Eagle has acquired Todd Snyder New York, an upscale menswear brand, and Snyder’s Tailgate Clothing Co., a vintage sports-inspired brand that operates a college-town store concept.

Todd Synder, founder and creative director of his eponymous company, will join American Eagle as executive VP, reporting to Chad Kessler, global brand president, American Eagle

Walmart and Hobby Lobby top the retailer list of the first ever annual Faith Equality Index.

Faith Driven Consumer, a group that represents 41 million Christian consumers, has published an index rating the faith compatibility of major brands both in the consumer and entertainment spheres, as well as serving as a voice for this community.

The New York Times is reporting that Texas grocery chain HEB is planning on distributing some 15% of the company’s shares to employees who are over 21 and have worked at least 1,000 hours in a calendar year. “So many in retail are competing in the race to the bottom, and people are the largest cost. So it seems logical to cut people, and lots of folks are doing it,” H-E-B president and CEO Craig Boyan said. “We think that’s a trap. We believe the race for the bottom cheapens the American experience.