Consumer Affairs & Relations

New York -- Seven Walmart stores in Missouri were evacuated after receiving bomb threats but no explosives were found and no injuries were reported, according to Reuters.

The threats were called in late on Friday to stores in Raytown, Gladstone, Jefferson City, Nixa, St. Peters and Ozark, the report said.

HOUSTON — Retail financial services provider Cardtronics announced that its Harris Teeter- located ATMs will be branded by PNC Bank. The ATMs will be surcharge-free fro PNC Bank customers. Harris Teeter operates a regional chain of supermarkets, with its base of operations in North Carolina. Cardtronics, Inc. (NASDAQ:CATM) is the world's largest retail ATM owner.  

Minneapolis -- Supervalu Inc. said on Monday that its chairman Wayne Sales has been named president and CEO. He replaces Craig Herkert as CEO.

MINNEAPOLIS — Supervalu on Monday named Wayne Sales, a Canadian hall-of-fame-caliber retailer, as the company's president and CEO, replacing Craig Herkert.

“In my new role, I will work closely with our leadership team to improve our sales and earnings trajectory and generate long-term shareholder value, focusing relentlessly on identifying factors that will drive meaningful improvements in our strategy execution and overall performance,” Sales stated.

New York -- Lower cotton costs will boost the earnings of US retail apparel companies during the coming back-to-school season, according to a report by Moody's Investors Service.

The report, "Back to School: Lower Cotton Costs, Gas Prices Set Stage for Higher 3Q Earnings,” notes that for the third quarter overall, Moody's expects the apparel-makers' growth in earnings to outpace their growth in sales.

Former Walmart chief merchandising officer John Fleming was named to the board of advisors at the online shopper engagement firm Jingit.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores announced on Monday that the retired chairman of accounting and consulting firm KPMG International has joined its board of directors, effective immediately.

Timothy Flynn, 55, will serve as a member of the retailer's audit committee and becomes the 17th member of Wal-Mart's board.

El Segundo, Calif. -- A Thursday report by Supermarket News said that Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market has eliminated as many as 40 positions at its corporate offices.

While the number of layoffs has not been confirmed, sources say it nears 40 jobs, mostly in real estate and store-opening support.