Consumer Affairs & Relations

New York -- Consumer confidence climbed to the highest level in more than five years, according to The Conference Board. The group’s closely-watched sentiment index rose to 76.2 in May, the highest since February 2008, and up from a reading of 69.0 in April.

The expectations index jumped to 82.4 in May from 74.3 in April to mark the highest level in seven months. The present situation index rose to 66.7 from 61.0. The share of consumers expecting more jobs to open in the next six months increased to a five-month high.

New York -- J.C. Penney on Tuesday turned to social media to deny that a tea kettle being advertised on a billboard on the 405 Interstate near Culver City, Calif., is intended to represent Adolf Hitler.

Bentonville, Ark. – Wal-Mart has launched an initiative to hire any honorably discharged US military veteran within the first 12 months after they have been on active duty. Through a program dubbed Veterans Welcome Home Commitment, Wal-Mart anticipates hiring more than 100,000 veterans by 2018.

Cincinnati – Former CEO A.G. Lafley, 65, is returning to Procter & Gamble in his former position. Lafley is assuming the role of CEO, president and chairman of the board immediately, and will replace current CEO Bob McDonald, who is retiring June 30. Procter & Gamble has been involved in restructuring efforts, including thousands of layoffs, for the past year and a half.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears Holding Corp. reported a bigger-than-expected net loss of $279 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2013, compared to net income of $189 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2012. 

The retailer also said that it is considering selling its protection-agreement business in an ongoing effort to raise cash as it struggles to improve its profits.

NEW ALBANY, Ohio — Abercrombie & Fitch shrunk its net loss during the first quarter of 2013 but still reported thin financial results. Net loss for the quarter was $7.2 million, compared to $21.3 million during the first quarter of 2012. The results missed analysts’ estimates.

Net sales dropped 9% from $921.2 million to $838.8 million. Same-store sales plummeted 17%. Direct-to-consumer sales fell 6%. U.S. same-store sales fell 14%; international comparable sales were down 16%.

CINCINNATI — Kroger has announced the retirement of Quintin Frey, president of Turkey Hill Dairy. Frey began his career with Kroger at Turkey Hill Dairy in 1980 as a management trainee. He served in a variety of leadership roles before being promoted to serve as president in 1991.

"Quintin has been a great ambassador for the Turkey Hill brand and an important part of the Kroger leadership team," said Kroger chairman and CEO David B. Dillon. "The Kroger family extends our thanks and best wishes to Quintin and his family."

FAIRFIELD, CALIF. — Jelly Belly Candy Company plans to implement front-of-package nutrition labeling on its most popular packaged products. The company will begin to roll out labeled packages on shelves this fall. 

The new front label will highlight information such as calories and fat content. By providing the information up front, Jelly Belly joins the National Confectioners Association and other manufacturers in support of adopting a method that helps consumers easily access information necessary to make decisions about their diets.

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. — Dole Food Company’s board of directors has approved a proposal to update the company’s owned vessel fleet, with the acquisition of three new specialty built refrigerated container ships for its U.S. West Coast operations, costing approximately $165 million, for a phased delivery between 2015 and 2016.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart has pleaded guilty to charges that it inappropriately transported and disposed of common consumer products, such as bleach and fertilizer, while reiterating that the misdemeanor violations of certain environmental laws occurred years ago and had no specific environment impact.