Consumer Affairs & Relations

New York -- Enterprise users will gain unprecedented control over their technology environment in 2014. This is the overarching theme of the key enterprise technology trends Verizon has identified for 2014.

In brief review, the trends include:

The Customer of One Comes of Age

Kroger announced its succession plan for secretary and general counsel. Paul Heldman, 62, a 31-year Kroger veteran who has been serving as the company's general counsel since 1989, secretary since 1992 and EVP since 2006, plans to retire in spring of 2014.

Home Depot reaped the benefits of continuing improvement in the housing market with third quarter sales of $19.5 billion, a 7.4% increase from $18.1 billion in the third quarter of fiscal 2012.

On a like-for-like basis (last year's quarter had an extra calendar week), comparable-store sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2013 were positive 7.4%, and comp sales for U.S. stores were positive 8.2%.

Bentonville, Ark. -- The National Labor Relations Board has reportedly determined that Wal-Mart acted illegally when it disciplined and fired employees who had been involved in strikes and other labor protest activities. According to the New York Times, the board investigated actions taken last year against about 100 Wal-Mart employees in stores across 12 states including California, Colorado, Texas and Massachusetts.

Unilever wants to sell its Soft & Beautiful, TCB and Pro-Line Comb-Thru brands to Strength of Nature. The sale excludes TCB’s business in Africa.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed and it is expected to close in early December.

Fort Worth, Texas -- At the conclusion of the current fiscal year on December 31, RadioShack will align its fiscal year-end to a traditional 52-week retail calendar with the fiscal year ending on the Saturday closest to January 31st. RadioShack says this is the format used by the majority of retailers today.

Dr. Pepper Snapple Group plans to distribute a growing line of all-natural, antioxidant-infused beverages.

Bai Brands, which makes the Bai 5 line, said the two companies have been working together for the last two years in select markets around the country and will now expand their partnership in most major markets.

Cincinnati -- The Kroger Co. announced its succession plan for secretary and general counsel.

Paul W. Heldman, 62, a 31-year Kroger veteran who has been serving as the company's general counsel since 1989, secretary since 1992, and executive VP since 2006, will retire in the spring of 2014.