Consumer Affairs & Relations

Pleasanton, Calif. -- Safeway announced that Dr. Kent Bradley has joined the company as chief medical officer, a newly created position focused on further enhancing and building Safeway's reputation as a healthcare innovator. He joins Safeway after a distinguished career in the U.S. Army, where he earned the rank of Colonel and served in a wide of range assignments.

CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. — Ikea announced that on Oct. 1, its U.S. stores will give away free tree seedlings through its partnership with American Forests. Ikea has been partnering with American Forests since 1998, and through their "Plant a Tree" campaign, they have raised $1.9 million dollars to plant 1.9 million trees.

Amid economic uncertainty and low consumer confidence levels, retail CFOs are expecting a 3% increase in total 2011 sales, according to a recent survey by BDO USA. While the number reflects the study’s most optimistic sales forecast since 2007, it is down from the 4.7% sales increase reported by the Commerce Department in 2010.

NEW YORK — Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia nnounced that Jeanne Meyer has joined the company as SVP communications. In this position, she will work closely with the senior management team to lead, develop and execute a comprehensive corporate communications strategy for the company's media and merchandising businesses. She will report to president and COO Lisa Gersh.

New York City -- A late Thursday report by Bloomberg revealed that Border Group’s planned sale of its intellectual property to Barnes & Noble was delayed due to questions regarding customer privacy.

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Martin Glenn, Manhattan, asked that privacy rights for 48 million customers be clarified. He adjourned the Thursday sale-approval hearing in order to explore a privacy expert’s claims that how Barnes & Noble used the acquired rights could violate customer privacy.

PALO ALTO, Calif. — HP announced that its board of directors has appointed Meg Whitman as president and CEO.

In addition, Ray Lane has moved from non-executive chairman to executive chairman of the board of directors, and the board intends to appoint a lead independent director promptly. These leadership appointments are effective immediately and follow the decision that Léo Apotheker step down as president and CEO and resign as a director of the company, the company reported.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Grocery Manufacturers Association and the Food Marketing Institute have launched a new consumer education campaign around the front-of-pack nutrition labeling system launched in January by the food and beverage industry.

The Facts Up Front consumer education campaign will launch in early 2012, as consumers will see the new icons on a majority of products in the marketplace, the associations announced. The campaign will also be supported by a new website, www.factsupfront.org.

CINCINNATI — Kroger announced that it has become a member of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Million Dollar Club.

According to Kroger, membership into the USHCC Million Dollar Club, is awarded to corporations who have spent between $25 million to over $500 million with Hispanic suppliers, in the previous year.

This is Kroger's second consecutive year of qualifying for membership. The company was inducted in the $250 to $500 million annual expenditure category.