Corporate Responsibility

An industry veteran has been tapped to lead operations at of the nation's fastest-growing fast-casual restaurant companies.    Mod Super Fast Pizza Holdings has appointed  Paul Twohig to the new role of COO,  effective immediately. The appointment comes as the company continues its rapid expansion in the United States and abroad. With Twohig’s arrival, Chris Schultz, former senior VP of operations, will take on the new role of senior VP, international to lead Mod’s development abroad.  

On the heels of opening its first location in Arizona, West Elm is entering a new state.   The home furnishings retailer, a division of Williams-Sonoma, will open its first store in Maine, in the historic Old Port district of Portland. The 12,000 sq. ft. location will open its doors on Thursday, July 27.   

Since reports began to swirl around a possible sale of True Value Company -- or at least the consideration of such a move – the Chicago-based co-op’s CEO has downplayed the story as “rumor.”   But that hasn’t stopped rival co-ops from weighing in with their own statements.   

Starbucks associates have a new leader to advocate for their labor needs and well-being.   Lucy Helm was named chief partner officer, a role she has been serving on an interim basis. As the chief partner lead she will head up the company’s Partner Resources Organization (PRO), an internal group that advocates for Starbucks associates across the enterprise worldwide, whether they work in the store, support center or Starbucks manufacturing plants.  

Walmart has launched a digital platform to share tips and learnings that grew out of its five-year Women's Economic Empowerment Initiative.     As part of the ambitious initiative, which Walmart completed in January, the chain sourced $20 billion from Women Owned Businesses (WOBs) for its U.S. business, increased sourcing from WOBs internationally, and trained more than 1 million women worldwide.  

One of the nation’s largest outdoor markets is making room for some brick-and-mortar retail.   Berryessa Properties, a family-owned company that runs the San Jose Flea Market has sold a 6.5-acre parcel adjoining the open-air bazaar to Western National Group. The Irvine, California-based company plans to erect an apartment building with 560 residences in the space, including 37,000 sq. ft. of ground-floor retail in the fifth phase of its Market Park San Jose property.  

Sycamore Partners has a plan for its newest retail acquisition, Staples.   The private equity firm, which purchased the office supply giant for $6.9 billion on Wednesday, plans to divide the chain into three separately financed units: U.S. retail; Canadian retail; and corporate-supply businesses, reported The Wall Street Journal reported. The three units will all remain under the same corporate umbrella.  

Sainsbury's will become the first supermarket retailer in the United Kingdom whose stores will be lit entirely by LED lighting.   The retailer is partnering with GE's Current division in an extensive lighting upgrade. Current will upgrade 250,000 LED fixtures across more than 450 Sainsbury's stores, cutting the chain's lighting energy consumption by 58% and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 3.4% annually.