Consumer Affairs & Relations

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation warned federal transportation officials that transportation costs would increase by up to 20% in some cases if a proposal to limit the number of hours truck drivers spend behind the wheel each day goes into effect.

In addition to dramatically increasing costs, the safety proposal also would make highways a little less safe for the general public by putting more trucks on the road during the most congested hours, the NRF argued.

Walmart executives will take to the road next week to speak at two investor conferences where it would seem unlikely that little if any new information will be shared since the conferences are just two weeks removed from the release of Walmart’s fourth-quarter results.

SALT LAKE CITY -- Overstock.com announced that it won two 2011 Stevie Awards for sales and customer service, in the following categories -- Customer Service Department of the Year, Retail and Sales Department of the Year, All Other Industries.

Now in its fifth year, the Stevie Awards selected winners in 40 award categories honoring achievements, individuals, teams and departments by industry in the sales field and 25 award categories honoring individuals, team and departments by industry in the customer service/contact center awards field.

The National Governors Association named Walmart the recipient of its annual Public-Private Partnership Award at the closing of its 2011 Winter Meeting. The award is now in its fifth year and honors companies that have partnered with a governor's office to implement a program or project that positively affects the state's citizens. Walmart was nominated by Arkansas Gov.

SAN DIEGO -- ShowUhow Inc., developer and provider of on-demand, video-based Product Guides, has appointed Anthony Wyatt to EVP sales and marketing.

Wyatt will be responsible for leading the sales and marketing initiatives at ShowUhow and is challenged to drive the company to its next strategic milestones. He will be leading a national sales strategy for the ShowUhow team to target leading product manufacturers and top retailers.

The Walmart board approved a hefty 21% increase to what was already one of the retail industry’s richest dividend payouts, the company announced late Thursday. The increase approved by the board puts Walmart’s annual dividend at $1.46 a share for the current fiscal year compared with last year’s dividend of $1.21. The dividend will be paid in quarterly installment of 56.5 cents.

Washington, D.C. -- The National Retail Federation told federal transportation officials this week that a proposal to limit the number of hours truck drivers spend behind the wheel each day would increase costs for businesses and consumers while undermining intended safety benefits by putting more trucks on the road during the most-congested hours.

Cincinnati -- Kroger Co. said Thursday that its fourth-quarter net income jumped 9.2% while sales rose 7.4%. It also announced that its board authorized a $1 billion stock repurchase plan.

Net income was $278.8 million, compared with $255.4 million in the year-ago period. Quarterly revenue rose to $19.9 billion, with same-store sales up 3.8%.

Kroger offered a cautious outlook for the current year, saying rising fuel costs are likely to take a bite out of household budgets.

New York City -- Foot Locker’s fourth-quarter net income more than doubled to $57 million on fewer charges and improved revenue.

The company reported a 5% increase in sales for the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2010, to $1.39 billion, up from $1.33 billion in the year-ago period. Same-store sales rose 7.3%.

Foot Locker reported net income of $169 million for the full year. That compares with net income of $48 million, in 2009.

Matthews, N.C. -- Family Dollar Stores on Thursday said its board rejected a takeover bid by an activist investor, saying it "substantially undervalues the company." In February, Nelson Peltz's Trian Fund offered $55 to $60 per share, or about $6.99 billion, for Family Dollar.

The chain said it also adopted a shareholder rights plan, commonly called a "poison pill," that would significantly dilute shares if a takeover attempt proceeds.