Corporate Responsibility

Walmart is allocating more funds to hurricane relief.    The discount giant announced that it will donate another $5 million in support of Hurricane Maria relief. This is in addition to its previous commitment of $35 million in response to Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.  

Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's have officially joined forces — finally.   Bass Pro Shops' acquisition of Cabela’s Inc. is complete. The deal, in the works for more than a year, brings together two of the nation's leading outdoor gear and apparel retailers. Bass Pro, a leader in fishing, operates more than 100 retail stores, while Cabela's, which is heavy into hunting, counts 89 locations. Also part of the unified company, which will be privately held, is Bass Pro's White Marine Group boating division. 

Target Corp. is raising the stakes in the battle for retail store talent — and giving its employees a holiday surprise in the process.   The discounter on Monday announced plans to raise its minimum hourly wage for all associates to $11 in October. It also pledged to increase the rate to $15 by the end of 2020. The retailer said the move will help it better recruit and retain top-quality staff and provide a better shopping experience for customers.  

Nordstrom is collaborating with a retailer known for its high-quality, ethically made fashion basics and "radical transparency."   The department store retailer's themed pop-up shop concept, Pop-In@Nordstrom, will be dedicated to a collection of products from Everlane. The in-store shop will launch in eight Nordstrom stores on Sept. 29, and run through Nov. 12. Items will also be available online.   

A limited number of tenants have been able to re-open their stores at 14 Brixmor properties severely damaged by Hurricane Irma. The company’s remaining 116 properties in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Alabama are open and operating.   The partially opened properties, which were not named in the report from Brixmor, suffered wind and water related damages and power outages.  

Fort Worth-based Trademark Property Co. has launched fundraisers at its properties in Texas to aid victims of Hurricane Harvey. Proceeds will be distributed via United Way, which is waiving all general and administrative fees in the arrangement with Trademark.   Tenants, financial partners, customers, and the community are being engaged in events, and Trademark has pledged to match up to $150,000 in donations. Miller Capital Advisory has pledged a matching donation total of $50,000 for fund collected at La Palmer in Corpus Christi. 

Even headquarters have shelf life.   Walmart is planning to build a new, central headquarters — one better suited to a "digitally native" workforce — in its hometown of Bentonville, Arkansas. The discount giant revealed the news in a note by CEO Doug McMillion on the company's website.   

Target Corp. is launching a new brand with HGTV's 'Fixer Upper' stars Chip and Joanna Gaines, and it's doing it just in time for the holidays.   The retailer announced an exclusive multi-year partnership with Magnolia, the home and lifestyle brand founded by the Gaines, to launch a home and lifestyle goods line called Hearth & Hand. It is Magnolia’s first collaboration with a retailer.