Consumer Affairs & Relations

Things are looking good for Supervalu, which reported fourth quarter fiscal 2014 net sales of $4 billion, up 1.4%, and net earnings of $26 million, or $0.10 per diluted share.

"Fiscal 2014 was an important transition year for Supervalu as we stabilized the organization and set the foundation for our future,” stated Sam Duncan, Supervalu president and CEO. “I am pleased with the direction of our business segments and look forward to the new fiscal year where we can focus our attention on driving sales growth across the organization.”

Dublin, Ireland – Discount fast-fashion retailer Primark, the Dublin-based subsidiary of U.K. retail and consumer group Associated British Foods, plans to enter the United States, opening a location in Boston. The 70,000-sq.-ft. store will open at the end of 2015 and be on the site of the former Filene's department store in the city’s downtown area.

Protection plan provider SquareTrade launched a major program with Sam’s Club last week and this week the company named a former private equity executive to lead its North American business.

Raj Kapoor, a former Bain Capital executive, joined SquareTrade as SVP of North America to lead business development, field sales operations and business process teams.

Oak Brook, Ill. – McDonald’s Corp. reported net income of $1.2 billion in the first quarter of fiscal 2014, a 5.5% decline from $1.27 billion in the same quarter a year earlier. Total revenues grew 1% to $6.7 billion, from $6.2 billion.

It may not rival the FIFA World Cup, but there’s nothing bigger than the Dr Pepper Dallas Cup when it comes to international youth soccer tournaments in the United States.

Now in its 35th year, the recently concluded youth tournament crowned winning teams from throughout the world who competed in eight age classifications. Other big winners at the event were eight U.S.-based community organizations who each received donations of $5,000 in sports gear on behalf of the winning teams.

San Jose, Calif. -- Pier 1 Imports is facing criticism this week for its policies regarding leave for pregnant workers. Nearly 50,000 people have signed a petition from anti-sexism group UltraViolet to demand Pier 1 stop what the petition says is discrimination against pregnant workers.

Tampa, Fla. - The Melting Pot Restaurants  plans to expand its footprint in select markets throughout the U.S., and Canada. Domestically, the company is looking to recruit new franchisees in cities such as Anchorage, Alaska; Little Rock, Ark.; Fresno, Calif.; Hartford, Conn.; Des Moines, Iowa; New York City; Chattanooga, Tenn.; Charleston, S.C.; and Portland, Maine, as well as Houston and El Paso, Texas.

Cincinnati -- Associates working at Kroger stores in the Atlanta metro and surrounding area have ratified new labor agreements with UFCW Local 1996. The contracts cover 23,598 associates working in 163 stores in the Atlanta area and 12 in Savannah.