Consumer Affairs & Relations

MONTVALE, N.J. -- A&P announced that it has filed a motion seeking approval to close 32 stores in six states as the company continues to fully implement its comprehensive financial and operational restructuring. The store closures are expected to be completed in the company’s fiscal first quarter, subject to court approval.

New York City -- A Tuesday report by the Wall Street Journal said that hedge fund billionaire and Sears Holding Corp. chairman Edward Lampert has reported holding a 5.8% stake in Gap Inc.

Lampert reported the stake in a 13G filing, or a filing for passive investors, with the Securities and Exchange Commission late Monday.

His ESL Partners company and affiliates reported beneficially holding 35 million common shares.

CINCINNATI — The former president and CEO of Ebay has returned to Procter & Gamble's board of directors, effective immediately.

Meg Whitman, who worked as a brand assistant for P&G after graduating from Harvard Business School, served on P&G's board from 2003 to 2008. During her career, Whitman served as president and CEO of eBay from 1998 until 2008. Whitman also ran for governor of California in the 2010 elections.

BURBANK, Calif. — Gearing up for the summer release of superhero flick Green Lantern, Warner Bros. Consumer Products is teaming up with licensee Mattel to help fans fight evil through a new branded toy line.

WBCP said Mattel will bring "Green Lantern" to life by producing the lineup, which includes:

• The Green Lantern Ring Blast jet figure and vehicle;

• The Green Lantern Battle Shifters figures;

• The Green Lantern Movie Masters figures; and

MONTVALE, N.J. — Bankrupt grocer A&P reported in a recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that Brenda Galgano, SVP, CFO and treasurer, will resign, effective March 27.

According to the filing, Galgano gave her notice on Feb. 10. No additional details on her departure were disclosed.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart has named Cindy Davis EVP of its global consumer insights business unit created two weeks ago as part of a larger corporate restructuring.

Davis, who joined Walmart in 2007 and previously served as EVP membership and marketing for Sam’s Club will continue to report to Sam’s Club president and CEO Brian Cornell, although she will be responsible for understanding broad consumer trends world wide and to create advanced analytical tools to support the business.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores named Cindy Davis as executive VP Global Consumer Insights. In the position, she will lead the newly created Global Customer Insights team, helping both Walmart and Sam's Club understand broad consumer trends, provide insight into customers' needs across the world and create advanced analytical tools to support the business.

Davis most recently served as executive VP membership, marketing and e-commerce at the Sam's Club warehouse store division. A successor in that role will be named at a later date, Wal-Mart said.

New York City -- Barnes & Noble invited Amazon.com's affiliates to join its program instead in an "open letter" Monday, as Amazon continues to oppose legislation that requires it to collect sales taxes in several states, the Associated Press reported.

New York City -- Supermarket veteran Mike Gilliland, the founder, chairman and CEO of Sunflower Farmers Markets, was arrested after being charged in an undercover child-prostitution sting and has resigned, according to reports. Gilliland also was a founder of Wild Oats Market.

Chris Sherrell was named acting CEO following Gilliland’s resignation on Saturday, Sunflower Farmers Market said on its website. Gilliland also quit his post on the Phoenix-based Sunflower’s company's board of directors.’

SALISBURY, N.C. — The Food Lion Family and Bloom has recognized Scott Brinson as the recipient of the 2010 store manager excellence award. Brinson, who is the store manager of Food Lion in Jacksonville, N.C., was selected from a group of seven other market/banner winners.

The store manager excellence awards are a key part of Food Lion Family's and Bloom's efforts to acknowledge the leadership role store managers play. Food Lion Family president Cathy Green Burns presented Brinson with the award earlier this week during the company's Leadership Summit.