Consumer Affairs & Relations

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — With a store based approaching 5,000 units, AutoZone on Monday elevated its human resources efforts.

AutoZone named Michael Womack SVP of human resources and customer satisfaction and the newest member of its executive committee, reporting to company chairman, president and CEO Bill Rhodes.

New York -- Best Buy’s founder and former chairman Richard Schulze is not expected to present a buyout or other proposal to the company's board anytime soon, Reuters reported, citing a person familiar to the situation.

Schulze owns more than 20% of the company’s shares. He abruptly resigned from the Best Buy board last June and said he was exploring options for his ownership stake. The company’s shares have risen lately on speculation that Schulze close to presenting a buyout offer.

DALLAS — Steven Becker and Richard Willis are the newest members of the Tuesday Morning board of directors with two more directors expected to be named in the coming months.

By Robert Gordman, president, The Gordman Group

(Editor’s  Note: Retail consultant Bob Gordman offers some interesting insights into what he calls “two of the most dramatically opposite” retail case studies in recent years: lululemon athletica and J.C. Penney Co.)

SALT LAKE CITY — Schiff Nutrition has appointed a new SVP and chief commercial officer.

Richard Baruch Jr. most recently served as VP category advisory services at Coca-Cola, where he led an initiative to build a new organization and bring a new set of capabilities to Coca-Cola's North American business.

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. — Kohl’s Department Stores has donated $25,000 cash in response to the recent wildfire which caused widespread damage and evacuations in the state of Colorado. Kohl’s is making this donation to the American Red Cross which will deliver much-needed emergency assistance throughout the affected communities including those near Colorado Springs.

Arlington, Va. -- The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) gave voice to concerns after Thursday's Supreme Court ruling that  upheld the individual-mandate within the Affordable Care Act.

“With the Supreme Court decision now behind us, the focus must turn to the employer-mandate and the effect that impending changes to employer-sponsored coverage will have on the nearly 170 million Americans who receive health care through their employer,” said RILA president Sandy Kennedy.

INDIANAPOLIS — The Finish Line reported first quarter net sales of $319 million, an increase of 6.5% from the same period last year. Comparable-store sales were up 8% on top of a 6.5% increase last year.

The company reported earnings of 24 cents per diluted share.