Consumer Affairs & Relations

New York -- Activist investor Bill Ackman of Pershing Square Capital Management plans to abandon his push for a quick replacement to J. C. Penney CEO Mike Ullman, according to the New York Post. The report says that it now appears that Penney will proceed with a more deliberately paced search for a replacement for Myron Ullman, who assumed the role of interim CEO in April in the wake of Ron Johnson's firing.   

The field of candidates to serve as CEO of the merged Office Depot and OfficeMax has been narrowed to five with September set as the goal to have an executive in place to lead the $18 billion combined company.

Ikea uses sustainability to drive innovation and shape investments. The company’s latest investment involves a 7.65 megawatt Carrickeeny wind farm, which it plans to purchase from global wind and solar company Mainstream Renewable Power. 

Mainstream has started construction on the project, which is located in Leitrim in the northwest of Ireland and is expected to be operational in early 2014. As part of the deal, Mainstream will operate and maintain the wind farm on behalf of Ikea for its 20-year lifespan.

New York City -- Scathing letters continued flying back and forth on Friday, between activist investor Bill Ackman and the J.C. Penney board of directors — each attacking the other’s handling of the CEO search process and timing.

Then, CNBC reported that Perry Capital, a 7% Penney stakeholder, has weighed in as well, and will file a 13-D urging the board to immediately remove Mike Ullman as CEO, and replace his leadership with Allen Questrom as chairman and Footlocker’s Ken Hicks as CEO.

Twenty-year Johnson & Johnson former executive Rick LaBerge was named VP of sales at Mars Chocolate North America.

In his new role, LaBerge will lead the Mars Chocolate sales organization, overseeing the strategy and execution of retail management, customer account teams, field sales and customer development. He will serve as a member of the Mars senior management team and will play an active role in industry events, according to the company.

Milwaukee -- Roundy’s reported generally disappointing financial results for the second quarter of fiscal 2013. Net income plummeted 40% from $18.9 million in the second quarter of the previous year to $13.5 million, while net sales for the second quarter of 2013 were $980.3 million, a decrease of $16.5 million, or 1.7%, from $996.8 million for the second quarter of 2012.

SALT LAKE CITY — Overstock.com's donations to Wounded Warrior Project now exceed $1 million.

In keeping with the company's longstanding commitment to support members of the U.S. Armed Forces, Overstock.com has collected customer donations on behalf of WWP since November 2009.

Global fragrance leader Elizabeth Arden cited curtailed orders at a mass market customer as a factor in its weaker-than-expected full year financial results, and the finger was quickly pointed at Walmart.