Consumer Affairs & Relations

Cleveland – The Federal Competition Commission of Mexico has voted not to authorize Sherwin Williams’ November 2012 acquisition of Mexico City-based home improvement retailer and paint producer Consorcio Comex, S.A. de C.V. Sherwin-Williams is reviewing the rationale for the commission's decision and says it expects to respond to the Commission's concerns in the near future.

MINNEAPOLIS — Supervalu reported net sales of $5.2 billion for the first quarter of fiscal 2014, down 1.5%, and net earnings of $85 million, or $0.34 per diluted share. 

The decrease in net sales primarily reflects a decline in identical store sales of negative 3% percent for retail food and negative 1.9% for Save-A-Lot. Identical store sales for corporately operated stores within the Save-A-Lot network were negative 1.2%.

Washington, D.C. -- The National Retail Federation penned a letter to Speaker of the House John Boehner and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, asking Congress to pass a one-year delay of the Affordable Care Act’s employer mandate.  

The impending House vote follows the Administration’s announcement earlier this month of a one-year delay of the employer mandate provisions.

CORNING, N.Y. — Procter & Gamble group president of global beauty Deborah Henretta has been appointed to Corning's board of directors.

Henretta will also serve on the board's audit and finance committees. She will hold office until Corning`s annual meeting of shareholders in the spring of 2014, at which time she will stand for election to a one-year term. Her appointment brings to 13 the number of directors in the specialty glass and ceramics provider’s board.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS employees cleaned up nearly 25,000 pounds of trash from shorelines across the country in partnership with Ocean Conservancy, a leading organization that educates and empowers citizens to take action on behalf of the ocean. 

The CVS Caremark Shoreline Cleanup, a national environmental employee engagement campaign, raises awareness of the connection between clean waterways and health. 

Seattle – Twelve deaf consumers are suing Starbucks over what they claim was harassment at the hands of employees of a lower Manhattan Starbucks store on March 7, 2013.

Columbus, Ohio – John C. Martin, executive VP and chief merchandising officer of Big Lots Inc., intends to retire his position with the company. Martin will continue in his current capacity until his successor is appointed, and he has committed to provide guidance through May 2014.

Big Lots has retained SpencerStuart to conduct a search of external candidates to succeed Martin.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — While competitors are in the midst of promoting back-to-school offers, Walmart is touting its familiar everyday low prices message and promising its customers gimmick-free pricing all season long.