Consumer Affairs & Relations

Strong international growth and price increases helped Kimberly-Clark produce a 3% fourth quarter sales increase and cap off a record year.

By Bradley W. Snyder, [email protected]

CITY OF COMMERCE, Calif. — Former Food Lion CEO, and current board member for 99 Cents Only Stores, Richard Anicetti, is assuming the role of interim CEO for the discount retailer. In addition, Michael Fung will join the company as interim chief administrative officer overseeing finance, information technology, real estate and various administrative functions of the company.  

In connection with the foregoing changes, Eric Schiffer, Jeff Gold and Howard Gold are no longer employed by the company. 

New Delhi -- An Indian official said Thursday that India’s Cabinet will investigate allegations that Wal-Mart Stores Inc. broke rules as it lobbied to make its retail market debut in the country.

According to Manish Tewari, information and broadcasting minister for India, the cabinet has authorized a retired judge to look into Wal-Mart’s lobbying disclosures and investigate whether any of the retailer’s activities broke Indian law.
     

Mooresville, N.C. -- Lowe’s Cos. Inc. said Thursday it has named Michael Jones chief merchandising officer, effective immediately. Jones was previously president of the North American and Latin American divisions of Husqvarna, an outdoor equipment manufacturer.

The retailer also announced that Stephen J. Szilagyi has been promoted to supply chain executive, from his current position as SVP distribution.

Boca Raton, Fla. -- Office Depot said Thursday it has extended its deadline for board nominations; the move comes after discussions with its largest shareholder Starboard Value were held.

The extension allows stockholders to nominate candidates until the close of business on Feb. 25.

Activist hedge fund Starboard has been pushing for changes at Office Depot, arguing that the company could improve profitability in part by reducing expense.

New York -- In a Thursday report by the New York Post citing unnamed sources, the publication said that J.C. Penney CEO Ron Johnson is pushing some of its vendors to inflate their pricing so that the department store’s retail pricing appears lower than it actually is.

Sources told The Post that the plan includes putting up signs and fixturing to display fabricated retail pricing, while the merchandise is then tagged with J.C. Penney’s own lower prices.

New Delhi -- According to a Thursday report by Reuters, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is examining the conditions around India’s decision to allow supermarkets to open stores in the country.

CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa.  — Ikea reported that sales for its fiscal year 2012 grew by 9.5% and profits were up 8% to $4.2 billion, thanks to its model of offering low-cost, functional furniture. Comparable-store sales were up 8% at its U.S. stores.

Jorge A. Plasencia was the inaugural recipient of the Goya Hispanic Achievement Award presented this week in New York.

Goya, the largest Hispanic-owned food company, and the Spain-U.S. Chamber of Commerce created the award to recognize a Hispanic leader or organization in the fields of business, arts, science and social responsibility.　 The award was presented to Plasencia at an exclusive gala dinner at the New York City Public Library, attended by more than 250 people.