Corporate Responsibility

New York -- Wal-Mart Stores spent $439 million during the past two years to investigate the possible payment of foreign bribes, Bloomberg reported, making it ranks as one of the most expensive probes in U.S. history.

Wal-Mart spent $282 million in the fiscal year ended Jan. 31 and $157 million the previous year, and expenses will continue to rise, according to an annual report filed March 21. On Feb. 20, Wal-Mart projected FCPA probe and compliance costs would be $200 million to $240 million for fiscal 2015.

Academy Sports + Outdoors has renewed its multi-year partnership with the Atlanta Braves. The specialty retailer also plans to open two new stores in Cartersville, Ga., April 11 and Douglasville, Ga., May 2.

"We're thrilled about our continued expansion in the Atlanta metro area," said SVP of marketing Anita Sehgal. "Our partnership with the Braves and the two additional stores are clear indicators of Academy's commitment to our ongoing growth in the Atlanta community, Braves fans, and active-minded families throughout Georgia."

Monterrey, Mexico -- Tiendas Soriana S.A. de C.V., Mexico’s second largest retail company, and Hanwha Q CELLS, a leading full-service solar power companies, announced a 20-year power purchase agreement for 31 megawatts (MW) of photovoltaic (PV) solar power at 120 retail locations across Mexico that will create significant long-term energy savings for Soriana. Soriana operates more than 640 grocery and department stores.

Seattle – Starbucks reportedly plans to expand a pilot of an evening alcohol and “light bites” menu that includes wine to thousands of stores nationwide. According to Bloomberg, Starbucks executives said the evening food and drink offerings, currently provided in about 40 test stores, will be rolled out during the next several years.

Purchase, N.Y. -- As part of the 2013 launch of a commitment to responsible retailing, the Stop & Shop Supermarket Co. LLC is making efforts that reduce waste in stores and improve efficiencies in energy uses in both new and existing stores.

By 2020, the company has set a goal of getting to "zero waste," diverting 90% of waste going to landfills and incinerations through the expansion of its organic recycling program and new opportunities for recycling cardboard, plastic, paper, and single stream recycling.

Woonsocket, R.I. -- CVS/pharmacy now provides ScripTalk talking prescription labels for prescriptions ordered for home delivery through its online pharmacy, CVS.com. The ScripTalk labels provide a way to access information on prescription labels for individuals who cannot read standard print.

The ScripTalk labels are free to CVS.com pharmacy customers who are blind or visually impaired. Customers can also obtain a free ScripTalk reader from Envision America that will enable them to listen to the information on the ScripTalk label.

New York -- Kohl's Department Stores was honored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for its efforts to reduce emissions linked to climate change. The retailer was recognized with EPA’s Excellence in Greenhouse Gas Management (Goal Achievement) Award for reducing carbon emissions by improving the energy efficiency in its stores and buying renewable energy and installing solar panels.

Covington, La. And Chattanooga, Tenn. — Phase I of Fremaux Town Center in Slidell, La., opened on Friday, according to the property’s joint developers Stirling Properties and CBL & Associates Properties.

Kohl’s, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Best Buy and T.J.Maxx anchor the 352,342-sq.-ft. center, which is more than 95% leased.

The Disney and Starbucks brands provide design inspiration for the  coffee giant's first company-run location on Disney property in the United States. The 5,600-sq.-ft. store, at Downtown Disney in Anaheim, Calif., uses customized content and technology to engage and inform, from a video installation that documents the Starbucks story to an interactive digital chalkboard that customers of all ages can draw and write on.

REI, a leading specialty retailer of outdoor gear and apparel, achieved record annual sales of $2 billion in 2013, up 5.9% from $1.9 billion the previous year, despite a challenging retail environment and severe winter weather.

Comparable store sales, including direct-to-consumer sales, increased 2.9%.