Consumer Affairs & Relations

New York -- Wal-Mart Stores spent $439 million during the past two years to investigate the possible payment of foreign bribes, Bloomberg reported, making it ranks as one of the most expensive probes in U.S. history.

Wal-Mart spent $282 million in the fiscal year ended Jan. 31 and $157 million the previous year, and expenses will continue to rise, according to an annual report filed March 21. On Feb. 20, Wal-Mart projected FCPA probe and compliance costs would be $200 million to $240 million for fiscal 2015.

Omaha, Neb. -- Gordmans Stores announced that its president and CEO, Jeff Gordman, has given his resignation to the board. The retailer said that Gorman is retiring to spend more time with his family and pursue outside interests.

T. Scott King, the current chairman of Gordmans’ board, will serve as interim CEO while a search is conducted for a permanent successor to Gordman. King will take an unpaid leave of absence from his position as senior managing director at Sun Capital Partners while he serves in the interim position.

Camp Hill, Pa. -- Rite Aid Corp. announced that Dedra N. Castle is joining Rite Aid as executive VP and chief human resources officer.

In this position, Castle will be responsible for all aspects of human resources, including training, recruitment, talent management, compensation and benefits, labor relations, leadership development and diversity. She will report to Rite Aid’s Chairman and CEO John Standley.

I recently attended the 2014 SPECS (Store Planning, Equipment, Construction Services) conference in Grapevine, Texas, and came away with some fascinating food for thought. The event, which is produced by Chain Store Age, celebrated its 50th anniversary this year.

New York -- Kohl’s Corp.’s chief merchandising officer, Donald A. Brennan, resigned his position, effective as of April 1, 2014. Kohl's disclosed Brennan's departure in a filing this week with securities regulators.

Under a separation agreement with the department-store operator, Brennan will receive a one-time severance payment equal to 2.9 times his annual salary plus the average of the three most-recent annual incentive compensation plan payments paid to him, according to a regulatory filing.

Compton, Calif. – Foodsco will open its first store in Oakland, Calif., on March 26. The new 80,000 sq.-ft. supermarket is located in East Oakland's Foothill Square Shopping Center.

American Eagle has had a rough winter. Robert Hanson resigned as the company’s CEO following disappointing holiday sales, and severe winter weather contributed to weak fourth-quarter results.

Interim CEO Jay Schottenstein looked on the bright side as shares dropped nearly 7%, saying that the company was taking steps to bring greater focus and excitement to its product offering and better engage its core customers.

Americans’ may desire healthy, organic and locally grown foods, but their enduring love of candy propelled the confectionary industry to record setting sales in 2013 and more of the same is forecast for this year.