Consumer Affairs & Relations

Montvale, N.J. - The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. on Sunday filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as it struggles with enormous debt and increased competition from low-priced peers.

The 151-year-old company operates 395 stores around the Northeast under several banners, including A&P, Waldbaum's, The Food Emporium, Super Fresh, Pathmark and Food Basics.

CINCINNATI - Just two weeks after announcing the exit of it's SVP retail operations, Kroger announced a replacement.

Geoffrey Covert, a seasoned Kroger executive, will become SVP retail operations, effective Jan. 1. He will be responsible for leading the company's programs and processes focused on operating efficiency, store productivity, and associate and customer safety., Kroger said. Prior to this position, Covert served as president of the company's Cincinnati/Dayton division for the past six years.

NEW YORK - Gracious Home, a home goods retailer with stores in New York City's Upper West and Upper East side neighborhoods, as well as online at gracioushome.com, was acquired by Americas Retail Flagship Fund LLC. The company under its prior ownership had filed for bankruptcy protection in August.

Montvale, N.J. -- A report Friday said that Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. may file for bankruptcy in the coming days to restructure debt.

Citing unnamed sources, Bloomberg reported that a filing to reorganize under court protection may come as soon as this weekend. A&P hired law firm Kirkland & Ellis LLP to represent it in negotiations with creditors and in any Chapter 11 proceeding, according to the report.

Santa Ana, Calif. -- Grubb & Ellis Co. announced that Susan E. Calvert and Joe I. Munoz have joined the company’s Lease Administration group.

Calvert, who joins as manager, Lease Administration, spent two years as a real estate administrator with SRS Real Estate Partners, where she was responsible for commercial portfolios spanning approximately 350 locations. Munoz, who will also serve on the lease administration team, spent seven years with SRS Real Estate Partners, ultimately rising to the position of lead real estate administrator. 

Nashville, Tenn. -- Genesco reported on Friday a criminal intrusion into the portion of its computer network that processes payment card transactions for its U.S. Journeys stores, Journeys Kidz, Shi by Journeys and Johnston & Murphy stores, and for some of its Underground Station stores.

The retailer announced that it took immediate steps to secure the affected part of its network and said it believes the intrusion has been contained.

MINNEAPOLIS - Target announced its commitment to sustainability and outlined goals it hopes to achieve over the next five years. Target's commitments to environmental sustainability, along with more on Target's sustainability efforts, are available at hereforgood.target.com/environment, the company reported.

Austin, Texas -- Whole Foods Market said Wednesday that its board approved a quarterly cash dividend of 10 cents per share reinstating the quarterly payment after more than two years with none. The dividend will be payable Jan. 20 to shareholders of record as of Jan. 10.

John Elstrott, chairman of Whole Foods' board, said in a statement that the decision to bring back the dividend stems from the company's strong financial position and outlook.