Consumer Affairs & Relations

Whole Foods Market made a $46,784 donation to Solid Ground, a Seattle-based organization with a mission to build a community to end poverty. Throughout 2013, shoppers who visited any of the six Seattle-area Whole Foods Market stores had an opportunity to participate in the Bag Hunger program, with a cash donation to Solid Ground at the checkout registers.

The Estée Lauder Companies have named Christopher C. Giglio as VP, corporate global communications. He will report to Alexandra C. Trower, EVP, global communications.

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.

Overstock.com is now offering insurance for vehicle, residential and small businesses on its online shopping site.  

New York – Aeropostale has filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against rival specialty apparel retailer H&M. The suit, filed in federal court in Manhattan, alleges that H&M used the phrase “Live Love Dream,” trademarked by Aeropostale, on apparel and accessory items.

Aeropostale says it notified H&M of the infringement, but H&M did not cease using the trademarked phrase. H&M has not publicly responded to the suit yet.

Toronto - OfficeMax Grand & Toy, an affiliate of Office Depot, Inc., will close all of its 19 Canadian retail stores. OfficeMax Grand & Toy will continue to service its business customers via the company’s e-commerce website, customer service centers and direct sales representatives.

Jacksonville, Fla. – The board of directors of Stein Mart Inc. has created the office of the president and have appointed D. Hunt Hawkins and Brian R. Morrow to share that office. Both will continue to report to Jay Stein, CEO.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. - Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, Inc. opens its newest Florida Sears Home Appliance Showroom on April 25, in Sunrise. The Sunrise location is one of six Sears Home Appliance Showrooms Michael Myers owns and operates.

Corte Madera, Calif. -- Restoration Hardware Holdings Inc. has named Dr. Leonard Schlesinger to its board of directors. He will also serve as the chairman of the board’s compensation committee.

Schlesinger has held executive leadership positions at various retail and consumer brands, including vice chairman and COO of Limited Brands from 1999 to 2007, and has served for more than 20 years as a professor of business administration at Harvard Business School, and previously served as the president of Babson College.

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.