Consumer Affairs & Relations

New York City -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. on Wednesday opened its second supercenter and fifth location overall in Chicago.

York, Pa. -- The Bon-Ton Stores said Tuesday it has appointed Brendan L. Hoffman as president and CEO, effective Feb. 7.

Hoffman replaces Bud Bergren, who is a current member of the board of directors and who will transition to the role of the chairman.

New York City -- A New York state Supreme Court filing on Monday disclosed that Macy’s Inc. is suing Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. for breach of contract after Martha Stewart set up a new deal last December with J.C. Penney to sell products at its stores.

According to Macy's, Martha Stewart Living granted it product exclusivity under a 2006 agreement. J.C. Penney, which acquired a 16.6% stake in the company in December, plans to open Martha Stewart Living in-store shops, beginning in 2013, which violates that exclusivity, said Macy’s.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target has promoted John Mulligan to the position of EVP and CFO, effective April 1. Mulligan currently serves as SVP finance. He replaces Doug Scovanner, Target’s EVP and CFO for the past 18 years, who announced his retirement in November 2011, effective March 31. 

New York City -- Starbucks Coffee Co. plans to sell beer, wine and more upscale food, including hot flatbreads and small plates, in a small number of its locations in Atlanta and Southern California by the end of this. The company previously announced the same plans for about half a dozen stores in Chicago.

Currently, five stores in the Seattle area and one in Portland, Oregon, now feature the extended offerings.

NAPLES, Fla. — The Retail Industry Leaders Association has appointed new members to its board of directors, including a new board chairman.

RILA said Target chairman, president and CEO Gregg Steinhafel was appointed RILA chairman of the board. Steinhafel, who previously served as vice chairman, succeeds Bill Rhodes, who currently serves as chairman, president and CEO of AutoZone.

Naples, Fla. -- The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) announced the election of Gregg Steinhafel, chairman, president CEO of Target Corp., as chairman of its board of directors.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as chairman of this exceptional group of industry leaders,” said Steinhafel. “Along with the rest of the Board of Directors, I value RILA and its efforts to champion issues that affect our industry, our workforce and our customers.”

A letter that surfaced last week from Target executives to the company’s suppliers brought back memories of Tom Hanks signature line from the movie A League of Their Own about how there is no crying in baseball.