Consumer Affairs & Relations

Fireworks sales are expected to reach a record level this year and while reported injuries have declined seeking medical treatment is still a Fourth of July tradition for many.

The American Pyrotechnics Association (APA) forecasts that consumer fireworks sales will reach a record level this year. Backyard fireworks have never been more popular or in more demand, according to APA, and despite the sluggish economy sales grew from $600 million in 2006 to $662 million in 2013.

Cincinnati – The Kroger Co. is responding to explosive financial performance with a two-for-one stock split, dividend increase and share buyback program. Kroger has delivered double-digit compound growth in its dividend since it was reinstated in 2006, and expects further growth.

Camp Hill, Pa. – Shareholders of Rite Aid Corp. have voted to tighten the reins of the “golden parachute” payment CEO John Standley will receive if the company is acquired and he loses his job as a result. Standley had previously been slated to receive $42 million in such an event, including $31.6 million in vested equity.

Market forces have driven consolation throughout all of retail and especially health care where Target recently sold its pharmacy business to CVS Health. How is it that 20,000 independent pharmacies continue to thrive in an increasingly complex health care world and what can other retailers learn from their experience.

Washington, D.C. – Americans are feeling patriotic as July 4 approaches and putting their wallets where their feelings are. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF) 2015 Independence Day Survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics, more than 156 million consumers, or 64% of those celebrating, are planning to take part in the July 4 holiday by attending a cookout, picnic or barbecue, spending an average of $71.23 per household, up 4% from $68.16 in 2014.

The Consumer Goods Forum has elected two new board members with broad packaged goods and retail experience.

Denise Morrison, president and CEO of Campbell Soup Company, and Gareth Ackerman, chairman of Pick n Pay, are joining the board. Morrison will chair the Manufacturer College of the board while Ackerman will chair the Retailer College. The pair will lead the CGF Board for two years, and replace outgoing co-chairs Dick Boer of Royal Ahold and Paul Bulcke of Nestlé. 

Arlington, Va. -- The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) is calling on Congress to make “much-needed” changes to the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

The move comes in response to the Supreme Court of the United States' ruling Thursday upholding subsidies provided through ACA.

The largest supermarket operator in the United States is on fire, so it makes sense that the Kroger Co. approved its first stock split in 16 years and a 13.5% dividend increase.

The company announced that its board of directors approved an increase to the company's quarterly dividend, a two-for-one split of its common shares, and a new $500 million share repurchase program.