Consumer Affairs & Relations

ST. LOUIS — Six percent more men are doing the primary grocery shopping for their families versus five years ago, according to results of a new survey by Schnucks.

New York City -- Mindy Grossman, CEO of HSN Inc., is staying at the home shopping giant and is not interested in becoming the next CEO at Avon Products Inc., according to Women's Wear Daily.

The report cited a letter Grossman sent to top HSN executives at HSN.

Previous reports had Grossman as a top candidate to replace Avon CEO Andrea Jung, who agreed in December to resign.

SKOKIE, Ill. — A member-owned cooperative serving the food industry has appointed a new leader.

Topco has named Randall Skoda as its new president and CEO following the retirement of Steven Lauer. Skoda has served as interim president and CEO since December of last year. Prior to that, Skoda served as EVP for four years.

New Albany, Ohio -- Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries told analysts during a conference call Wednesday that the teen retailer would close 180 U.S. stores by 2015.

The chain will target underperforming locations for closure, and by shuttering them hopes to boost image and profits. Specific stores slated for closure have not yet been announced.

Despite considerable efforts by Walmart in recent years to improve its reputation, a recent Harris Interactive Reputation Quotient poll shows the company has considerable room for improvement.

The study, now in its 13th year, surveyed 17,500 consumers about their perceptions of the 60 most visible companies in America. Not surprisingly, a fair number of those were major national retailers who have become household names. Walmart ranked 41st overall on the list of 60 companies and 10 other retailers were ranked ahead of Walmart.

Efforts to make food healthier and healthy food more affordable took center stage last week in Washington, D.C. when Walmart unveiled its new “Great For You,” packaging icon. This week in Orlando food safety took center stage at the Consumer Goods Forum’s annual Global Food Safety Conference where Frank Yiannas, VP food safety at Walmart and co-vice chair of the conference weighed in on collaboration, food safety at a cross roads and Tiramisu.

SEATTLE — A Tuesday report by the Seattle Times said that Eddie Bauer chief Neil Fiske, who joined the retailer in 2007 and led it through bankruptcy, will leave his post effective March 2.

The company has not given a reason for Fiske’s sudden departure. David Chamberlain, executive chairman, will serve as interim CEO until a permanent replacement is named. Fiske will remain with the company as a consultant to ensure a smooth transition.

Washington, D.C. -- The monthly Global Port Tracker report, released Wednesday by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates, said that import cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports is expected to be down 6.8% in February from the same month a year ago. However, volumes should show year-over-year increases through most of the remaining first half of 2012.