Consumer Affairs & Relations

By John Paluszek, [email protected]

This time it is different.
 
But the question remains: Is it different enough? Let us, then, count the ways.
 
The “tipping point” may seem facile, but the current dramatic increment of tragic incidents is now more toxic to more corporate reputations.  That’s a big deal, generating a new dimension of company action.
 

CINCINNATI — Phillips Edison & Company has named John S. Kokinchak, SCSM, SCLS, as GM of Parmatown Mall in Parma, Ohio, Cleveland's largest suburb.

Kokinchak, a veteran executive of the shopping center industry, will assist in leading the transformation of the historic retail location into The Shoppes at Parma, a "Main Street" destination for shopping and dining that will act as a town center for residents of Parma and surrounding communities.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart’s board of directors has given the company the green light to repurchase $15 billion of its shares, effective June 6, the company announced at its annual shareholders meeting. 

This program replaces the previous $15 billion program announced on June 3, 2011. As of June 6, the company had approximately $712 million remaining on the 2011 Authorization. Under the share repurchase program, repurchased shares are constructively retired and returned to unissued status.

NEW YORK — Everlast Worldwide has rolled out a new professional fight glove. Called the PowerLock Fight Glove, it secures a fighter's hand in a natural fist position via a stable, compact chamber. 

Lightweight and ergonomic, the glove is joins the MX, 1910 and Protex3 in the company’s “elite” professional glove line. The company touts it as a “strong alternative” to boxers looking for a powerful glove.

SPARKS, Md. — McCormick has appointed Lawrence Kurzius as the company’s president, global consumer and chief administrative officer. 

In this role, Kurzius will be charged with McCormick's consumer business globally as well as several of the company's corporate functions, including IT, supply chain, R&D and quality assurance. Kurzius will also chair the Global Consumer Strategy Council in his new role.  

By Wade Savoy, [email protected]

For much of the past decade the persistent problem Walmart had to address with shareholders at its annual meeting was a long dormant share price. That’s not the case this year, but there are plenty of other issues to concern shareholders.

A lot of buzz this week about Amazon expanding a long-running grocery delivery program in its hometown of Seattle to the Los Angeles area and what it might mean for food retailers. The answer for now is, not much.