Consumer Affairs & Relations

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — HanesBrands announced that it has promoted Richard Moss to chief financial officer effective immediately.

Moss, 53, who has served as the company’s treasurer since January 2006, was chosen to fill the open CFO position after an extensive review of internal and external candidates, HanesBrands reported. Moss will oversee the company’s global finance, investor relations and corporate development functions.

LOS ANGELES — Les Hamilton, who most recently managed the Target account for all over-the-counter products for The Emerson Group, has been named VP Sales at Hyland, another OTC manucturer.  In his new role, Hamilton will be responsible for guiding the company’s sales organization and developing and implementing sales strategy.

The current economic climate has us all thinking more about retail expansion than perhaps over the last two to three years, but real estate disposition/portfolio optimization isn’t just on simmer. There’s still plenty of action in that arena, and Chain Store Age talked with Spence J. Mehl, SVP of New York City-based RCS Real Estate Advisors, about the latest happenings.

Johannesburg, South Africa — A Bloomberg report on Sunday said that Massmart Holdings Ltd., the South African retailer controlled by Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., will open 23 new outlets over the next eight months, part of its plan to not only expand its coverage area but also to add jobs in the region. The plan calls for 15,000 jobs over the next three years.

The retailer also said it will repeat a price-cut promotion at its stores.

Seattle -- Starbucks Coffee Company is teaming up with the Opportunity Finance Network (OFN)  to launch a “Create Jobs for USA” fund. 

Starting Nov.1, the new initiative will pool donations from Starbucks customers, partners (employees) and citizens into a nationwide fund for community business lending. One-hundred percent of the donations will go toward loans for firms and organizations that can add jobs or stem job losses, Starbucks said. 

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway announced that Portland, Ore. has been named "America's Most Natural City." The city earned the title by garnering the most votes on Facebook.  As a result, Portland will receive a donation of $20,000 and 25 picnic tables constructed from the Guinness World Record holder for the World's Longest Picnic Table. 

Cincinnati -- Most consumers hold strong positive attitudes on the quality of service they receive from U.S. businesses, according to new research from customer relationship management company Convergys Corporation.  Among the top findings of the research: nearly nine out of 10 consumers believe that service improved or stayed the same over the past year, and an impressive seven out of 10 say they were either “extremely” or “very” satisfied with their most recent service experience.

WESTBOROUGH, Mass. — BJ's Wholesale Club officially is owned by Leonard Green & Partners and CVC Capital Partners, just a few weeks after the retailer's stockholders approved the agreement.

BJ's was required in an all-cash transaction valued at $51.25 per share, or $2.8 billion.

BJ’s common stock will be delisted from the New York Stock Exchange prior to the opening of business on Monday, Oct. 3, the companies said.

The deal was announced in late June after months of speculation. BJ’s board of directors unanimously approved the agreement.