Corporate Responsibility

MOORESVILLE, N.C. -- Lowe’s has joined the likes of Sears Holdings and Barnes & Noble in extending an invitation for a business partnership with online retailer affiliates.

“Lowe’s is committed to the communities where we do business,” said Gihad Jawhar, vice president of Lowes.com. “We sincerely hope businesses will consider Lowe’s as a partner.”

Shareholders of Wal-Mart de Mexico elected three new female board members at the company’s annual meeting yesterday, bringing to six the number of women on the company’s eleven-member board.

The new members include Shelley Broader, chief merchandising officer of Walmart Canada, Olga Gonzalez, Walmart’s VP audit services for Latin America and Kristin Oliver, SVP people for the Walmart International division. Other women on the board include Cathy Smith, Blanca Trevino and Kristin Oliver.

CINCINNATI -- Procter & Gamble announced that Keith Harrison, global product supply officer, will retire effective Sept. 1, after more than 41 years of service.  Until his retirement, Harrison will serve as officer on special assignment, reporting to Bob McDonald, chairman of the board, president and CEO.

The company announced that Yannis Skoufalos currently VP product supply, global operations, has been elected global product supply officer, succeeding Harrison effective July 1.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- The Walmart Foundation announced that is committing more than $2.5 million in grants to various projects aimed at improving the lives of women in Latin America. 

"We believe that when women achieve economic empowerment, their voices are also empowered," said Eduardo Solorzano, president and CEO of Walmart Latinoamerica. "So not only will they be able to create more stable futures for their families, they will play transformational roles in bettering the lives of women and children across Latin America."

NEW YORK — In what appears to be a case of back-pedaling to alleviate concerns of her devoted fanbase, Lady Gaga's deal to sell a special edition of her upcoming album at Target is off.

There have been dozens of books written about Walmart, but none from the perspective of Ron Loveless. He is an Arkansas native from a small town who was hired by Walmart founder Sam Walton in 1964. His first job was that of stock boy, but he would go on to hold positions of increased responsibility in operations and merchandising and was the executive charged with opening the first Sam’s Clubs in the early 80’s. Loveless retired in 1986.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Robert Eckert, chairman and CEO of Mattel, will be presented the community leader award at the Exceptional Children’s Foundation's 65th Anniversary Gala. The recognition acknowledges Eckert’s leadership and ongoing commitment to shaping the development of generations of children, inspiring creativity and innovation and for demonstrating what's possible through a world of play, Mattel reported.

WASHINGTON -- Gap Inc. announced that it has received the International Center for Research on Women (ICRW) Champions for Change Award for Innovation in recognition of the company’s P.A.C.E. (Personal Advancement and Career Enhancement) program.  This workplace program was developed by Gap Inc. in 2006 to provide life skills and enhanced technical skills education to female garment workers to help them advance in the work place and in their personal lives.