Consumer Affairs & Relations

It isn’t easy being green. Just ask the folks who have to make sure retailers have the science, compliance infrastructure and audit protocols in place to ensure eco-labels are iron-clad. For an insightful look at the issues of eco-labels and the certification process that underpins the validity of such claims, check out this column from Deloitte Consulting executive Chris Park. . 

By Chris Blees, [email protected]

MONTVALE, N.J. — A&P has emerged from Chapter 11, and tasked with ensuring the company stays on sure financial footing is Raymond Silcock, who has been promoted to the role of CFO reporting to president and CEO Sam Martin. Silcock succeeds Frederic Brace, who is resigning from his roles as chief restructuring, financial and administrative officer in conjunction with A&P’s emergence from Chapter 11. Brace will continue to serve the company in an advisory capacity.

New York City -- A report released Wednesday by Capital Business Credit said that importers who sell to America's major retailers are preparing for a significant uptick in consumer spending this spring and summer.

The number of eco-labels in the marketplace continues to grow. According to Ecolabelindex (http://www.ecolabelindex.com/, Oct 27), 426 labels circulate in 246 countries and 25 industries. Most commentators are quick to point out the negative consequences: consumer confusion, disinterest and mistrust. However, there is a growing wave of large companies that pursue product certification to appeal to and meet compliance demands from their B2B customers, including retailers.

Chain Store Age editor-in-chief Marianne Wilson and I go to great lengths to report new store openings on Chainstoreage.com. We pore through convoluted retail financial statements – sometimes twice daily – to uncover news that a chain has its sights set on even a little net new store growth for the year ahead.

I reported earlier today that Urban Outfitters, despite a challenging fourth quarter that saw profits cut nearly in half from the year before, was planning as many as 60 new stores in fiscal 2013.

Anaheim, Calif. -- Pacific Sunwear of Calif. Inc. reported Tuesday that its loss for the quarter ended Jan. 28 widened to $38.1 million, compared with a net loss of $35.2 million a year earlier. Sales dipped 1% to $234.2 million from $237.6 million, missing Wall Street’s expected revenue of $245.9 million.

PacSun has been in the throes of a right-sizing effort, working to build sales while closing underperforming stores. The company closed 87 stores during fourth quarter and ended fiscal 2011 with 733 stores.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway has given Steve Frisby, the added responsibility of the company's Seattle division after the exit of the current president, Greg Sparks. Frisby, who joined Safeway in 1972, currently serves as the president of its Portland, Ore., division.