Consumer Affairs & Relations

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.

Albert Saltiel has joined AutoZone, the nation’s largest automotive retailer, as SVP of marketing and customer satisfaction.

Saltiel will report directly to AutoZone chairman, president and CEO Bill Rhodes.

"Al has spent many years working in both business to business and business to consumer environments," said Rhodes. "His experiences at Navistar, Sony and Ford are well suited for this position and we are excited to welcome Al to AutoZone."

New York -- Ahold USA, a division of Netherlands-based Royal Ahold, said six newly built stores had received LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. The locations include four stores in the Stop & Shop New England and New York Metro divisions, one in the Giant-Landover division and one in the Giant-Carlisle division.

Oak Brook, Ill. -- Ace Hardware Corp. announced that John Venhuizen has been named president and CEO of the hardware cooperative. The appointment is part of a strategic leadership transition that was announced last fall.

In September, Venhuizen was named president and COO of Ace Hardware, while Ace’s outgoing leader Ray Griffith maintained the title of CEO.

Venhuizen is a 20+-year veteran of Ace Hardware, having served in a variety of capacities.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Walmart is easing the pain at the pump by offering customers who use a Walmart MoneyCard or Walmart Credit Card a 15 cents per gallon reduction on their fuel purchase. Customers using a Walmart gift card will receive a 10 cent per gallon discount. Gas will be discounted at more than 1,000 Murphy USA and Walmart gas stations located at Walmart stores in 21 participating states.

Cleveland -- American Greetings Corp. said Monday that the founding Weiss family has reached a deal to acquire the gift cards and party goods company for about $878 million.

The transaction is expected to close in July, and “returns the company to private ownership in a way that we believe enables the company to continue to serve the interests of its customers, employees, suppliers and the communities in which it operates as it has for over a century," said Jeffrey Weiss, president and COO.

MAITLAND, Fla. — Publix Super Markets is supporting the March of Dimees with a new fundraising campaign taking place April 6 through the 27.

The cutout campaign coincides with March for Babies, the March of Dimes signature event, which occurs on April 27 in most areas. Associates will sell the cutouts at the checkout and ask customers to sign their name or the name of a baby they love, creating an impressive in-store display.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart has brought back its Great Gas Rollback program, helping customers save on their fuel purchases. Walmart customers using a Walmart gift card will receive a 10 cent per gallon discount; customers who use a Walmart MoneyCardor Walmart Credit Card will save 15 cents per gallon on their fuel purchase.

Gas will be discounted at more than 1,000 Murphy USA and Walmart gas stations located at Walmart stores in 21 participating states.