Corporate Responsibility

There’s a lot going this week at the Daytona, Fla., area Walmart stores as NASCAR gears up for the start of its season with the Daytona 500. Between special activities in store parking lots and promotions involving NASCAR merchandise, Walmart has effectively positioned itself as the one-stop destination for race fans. While the Daytona 500 is a big deal, it’s really just a warm up act for Walmart.

New York City -- Kenneth Cole Productions' board of directors has formed a special committee of independent directors to consider a non-binding proposal from Kenneth Cole, chairman and chief creative officer, that would take the company private.

Slip-and-fall lawsuits are expected to increase dramatically during the next few years as the U.S. baby-boomer population continues to age, according to a study by commercial insurer and property and casualty company CNA.

Lancaster, Pa. -- Giant Food Stores announced that roof-mounted solar photovoltaic systems have been installed and are operational at two of its locations in Lancaster and Pottstown. In-store flat panel monitors will reveal to customers in real time how the system operates and the energy savings being achieved.

Efforts to make food healthier and healthy food more affordable took center stage last week in Washington, D.C. when Walmart unveiled its new “Great For You,” packaging icon. This week in Orlando food safety took center stage at the Consumer Goods Forum’s annual Global Food Safety Conference where Frank Yiannas, VP food safety at Walmart and co-vice chair of the conference weighed in on collaboration, food safety at a cross roads and Tiramisu.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- A spokesman for Sears Holdings Corp. said that the owner of Sears and Kmart stores is cutting 100 jobs at its headquarters in Hoffman Estates, Ill.

According to Chris Brathwaite, Sears spokesman, the cuts cover a range of positions. The terminated employees were notified Thursday. 

The retailer has not said whether additional cuts are planned.
 

LAKELAND, Fla. — Publix Super Markets has promoted Kelly Williams-Puccio to executive director of Publix Super Markets Charities.

In her new position, Williams-Puccio will be responsible for the strategic direction of the foundation, managing foundation giving policies and processes and maintaining the charitable legacy of company founder, George Jenkins.

Woonsocket, R.I. -- CVS Caremark on Tuesday released an economic impact study of its contribution to the economy of its headquarters state of Rhode Island.

The Pricewaterhouse Coopers-conducted study showed that the company's Rhode Island operations contributed more than $1.2 billion to Rhode Island's GDP in 2010, approximately 12,000 jobs, $831 million in labor income, and $116 million in state and local taxes.

Target is looking to get ahead of the curve in major media markets by placing communications executives in such places as Dallas, Los Angeles, New York and Toronto in addition to those at the Minneapolis home office, Ad Age reported on Monday.

Austin, Texas -- Whole Foods Market announced that two regional presidents, David Lannon and Ken Meyer, have been promoted to executive VPs of operations, joining the executive leadership team. The company's 12 regional presidents will report to them.