Consumer Affairs & Relations

VALHALLA, N.Y. — Fujifilm North America has earned Walmart's "Vendor of the Year" award for its photo-finishing services in the mass-merchandise retailer's stores, Fujifilm said.

The company, a division of Japan-based Fujifilm, said it received the award in the photo-finishing category at Walmart's Supplier Summit in Orlando, Fla., last month. Fujifilm said the award recognized its manufacturing, quality and distribution capabilities.

Hampstead, Md. -- Jos. A. Bank Clothiers reported Wednesday that net income for the fiscal year ended Feb. 2 slid to $79.7 million, from $97.5 million in the prior year.

Annual sales rose 7.1% to a record $1.05 billion, from $979.9 million. Same-store sales decreased 0.5%.

Jos. A. Bank had warned that net income for fiscal year 2012 was expected to be approximately 20% lower than net income for fiscal year 2011.

Home Depot announced that it has reached a tentative agreement in March to settle California lawsuits related to the sale of paints and coatings.

The company's recent 10-k filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission report followed up on 2010 allegations that the retailer sold products in three California counties and Los Angeles that exceeded the level of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) under the rules of the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

New York -- A Securities and Exchange Commission filing on Tuesday revealed that embattled J.C. Penney CEO Ron Johnson saw his compensation package plummet 97% to about $1.9 million in 2012.

Johnson received a base salary of $1.5 million, up from his partial-year salary of $375,000 in 2011, but did not receive stock or option awards in 2012. That compares with a stock award worth $52.7 million on the date it was granted in 2011, when Johnson was named CEO.

SALISBURY, N.C. — Food Lion has launched its "Hunger Has a Cure" campaign to support Feeding America and its network of local food banks. The two-week campaign, which allows customers to donate in $1 or $3 increments at the register, runs through April 16 and will help feed local families in need.

Sustainability is often confused with “going green,” but while environmental improvement is part of the picture, sustainability is bigger than that. It’s a strategy for individuals and organizations to thrive for the long term. Operating sustainably ensures an efficient, resilient and innovative organization that not only does less harm to people and the environment, but also does more good and makes a profit in the process. Because as many have pointed out, a business that loses money won’t be around to do anything very long.

New York -- The Securities and Exchange Commission on Tuesday said that companies can social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook to make significant announcements as long as they alert investors about which sites they plan to use for the disclosures.

OAK BROOK, Ill. — Ace Hardware has named long-time employee John Venhuizen as president and CEO of the nation’s largest hardware cooperative.

Venhuizen’s appointment to this role has been part of a strategic leadership transition that was announced last September. At that time, Venhuizen was named president and COO of Ace Hardware, while Ace’s outgoing leader, Ray Griffith, maintained the title of CEO.