Consumer Affairs & Relations

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens has expanded Joseph Magnacca's role at the drug store chain by appointing him president of daily living products and solutions.

Tim White, SVP marketing at Fashion Bug, and a 30-year retail industry veteran, this week was inducted into the Retail Advertising and Marketing Association’s Advertising Hall of Fame. White is currently leading a team focused on building a brand identity at Fashion Bug that satisfies the clothing wants and needs of today value conscious woman. White spent the early part of his career with Kmart, ascending the ranks to become the lead marketing executive for Kmart’s launch of the super center initiative.

Ann Arbor, Mich. -- A report released Friday by Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan showed that confidence among U.S. consumers fell more than forecast in March, precipitated by a surge in fuel prices.

The Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index fell to 68.2, the lowest in five months, from 77.5 in February. The gauge was projected to decline to 76.3, according to a Bloomberg News survey. The index of expectations plunged to the lowest level since March 2009.
 

CITY OF COMMERCE, Calif. — First it was Family Dollar, now 99 Cents Only Stores finds itself in buyout talks, as investors are seeing the value in discount store chains.

The company has received a proposal to take the company private from the company's founding family and investment firm Leonard Green & Partners LP for $19.09 per share, the Associated Press reported.

City of Commerce, Calif. — Discount store retailer 99 Cents Only Stores has received a proposal to take the company private from the company's founding family and investment firm Leonard Green & Partners LP for $19.09 per share, the Associated Press reported.

The offer would value the company at about $1.3 billion. According to 99 Cents, the purchasers would include the Schiffer-Gold family, which owns about 33% of its outstanding stock. David Gold is company founder and chairman, and his son-in-law Eric Schiffer is CEO.

PLANO, Texas -- JCPenney is giving underprivileged teens the chance to have their very own prom dress, while at the same time encouraging those more fortunate to give to a worthy cause. The company announced that from March 13 through April 2, customers can donate their gently worn prom dresses at one of more than 1,100 JCPenney stores nationwide.

Shareholders of Wal-Mart de Mexico elected three new female board members at the company’s annual meeting yesterday, bringing to six the number of women on the company’s eleven-member board.

The new members include Shelley Broader, chief merchandising officer of Walmart Canada, Olga Gonzalez, Walmart’s VP audit services for Latin America and Kristin Oliver, SVP people for the Walmart International division. Other women on the board include Cathy Smith, Blanca Trevino and Kristin Oliver.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — This weekend, Sam's Club is offering free allergy health screenings in select locations across the country.