Corporate Responsibility

William Blair & Company analyst Mark Miller has followed Walmart for a long time, but he didn’t have much good to say about the company when he issued a downgrade this week.

Miller lowered his rating on Walmart to underperform from market perform and cited some familiar and unfamiliar concerns. For example, one of his main concerns related to Walmart’s size and complexity which he contends reduces dynamism and growth.

Seattle – Starbucks Corp. plans to move its European headquarters to London, from its current base in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The move will both concentrate some executives in the U.K., including some transferred from the Amsterdam office, and also increase the tax Starbucks pays in the U.K.

Starbucks paid an estimated $16.8 million in U.K. taxes during 2013 and has said it expects to pay the same amount in 2014. The company has received criticism in the U.K. for allegedly using complex accounting procedures to minimize the tax it pays there.

Boca Raton, Fla. – Office Depot has won an Internet Advertising Competition Award (IAC) for “Best Retail Social Media Campaign” from the Web Marketing Association. The award recognizes Office Depot’s digital campaign supporting back-to-school with Office Depot’s “#Together Against Bullying” collaboration with the band One Direction.

The 2014 spring Goodwill Sale, a cause-marketing partnership between The Bon-Ton Stores and Goodwill Industries International, collected more than 2.5 million pounds of clothing and textiles to benefit Goodwill's job training and employment services.

Macy’s is preparing to bring back its American Icons campaign in May. Now in its second year, the initiative will kick off with a variety of family events inspired by America’s favorite pastimes, designer fashions, all-star talent and a give-back program to benefit those who have served the country.

Office Depot has won an Internet Advertising Competition Award (IAC) for “Best Retail Social Media Campaign” from the Web Marketing Association.

The award recognizes Office Depot’s innovative digital campaign supporting back-to-school with Office Depot’s “#Together Against Bullying” collaboration with the band One Direction.

Since making her debut on Chicken of the Sea labels in 1952, the mermaid has remained nameless. But to mark its centennial this year, the seafood brand invited consumers to submit suggested names to christen the icon for a chance to win $10,000.

Participants submitted more than 49,000 entries, the company confirmed. The winning name? Catalina.

Lakewood, Colo. – Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Inc. has opened a store in Logan, Utah. The Logan store is its second Utah location.

"We are thrilled to expand our nutrition expertise and delicious food options to Logan," said Kemper Isely, co-president of Natural Grocers. "We look forward to engaging with the local community about healthy living."

For the second consecutive year, 99 Cents Only Stores will be sponsoring Big Bunny's Spring Fling at the Los Angeles Zoo, which will be taking place from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Friday, April 18, through Easter Sunday, April 20.

99ers will be handing out goodies to all zoo guests. The Big Bunny's Spring Fling weekend entertainment will include bunny-related crafts, an Eggucation Station and photo opportunities along with a chance to pet a bunny.

In recognition of its support of national defense and the uniformed service community Safeway received the Military Officers Association of America’s highest honor.

Safeway was presented with the organization’s Distinguished Service Award at an event in Washington, D.C., in recognition of its outstanding support as an employer of Guard and Reserve members and veterans. The Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) ’s highest honor. MOAA was founded in 1929 and has 380,000 members.