Finance & Capital Management

New York -- Leonard Riggio, founder and chairman of Barnes & Noble, has told the company’s board that he wants to make an offer for its retail business. Riggio is Barnes & Noble’s largest shareholder, owning nearly 30% of the company.

The offer would not include Nook Media, Barnes & Noble’s e-book division.

Barnes & Noble said in a statement that it had formed a special board committee of three directors to consider Riggio’s proposal. There is set timetable for the process.

HOUSTON, — Apparel and accessories retailer Francesca's Holdings has named Richard Kunes as an independent director to its board of directors, effective Feb. 25, 2013.

Since August 2012, Kunes has served as EVP and senior advisor to the CEO at The Estee Lauder Companies, Inc. Prior to that, he served for 12 years as EVP and CFO. Before being appointed CFO, Kunes served in several financial management positions at Estee Lauder including corporate controller.

BATTLE CREEK, Mich. — Kellogg Company has elected Cynthia H. Milligan, dean emeritus of the College of Business Administration at University of Nebraska-Lincoln and trustee of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, to its board of directors effective Feb. 22, 2013. 

"We are very pleased to welcome Cynthia to our board," said Chairman Jim Jenness. "Cynthia's business acumen and financial experience will be a great asset to our company." 

Deerfield, Ill. — Walgreens on Friday will open the doors to Walgreens University, an internal education center with technology-enhanced classrooms, a mock drug store and video-conferencing capabilities. The new learning center will be the base of operations for employee educational programs offered online and in regional locations nationwide.

BOISE, Idaho — Albertsons named the division presidents who will lead the 877 stores it will acquire from Supervalu after the purchase agreement closes next month, the company said. The two companies agreed to the purchase in January.

Canton, Mass. -- Casual Male Retail Group will formally change its corporate name to Destination XL Group, Inc. to reflect the company's transition to its Destination XL format stores and DestinationXL.com e-commerce site. The name change will be effective as of Feb. 25.
   
As previously announced, the company's ticker symbol was changed to "DXLG" effective Dec. 5, 2012.
 

Salt Lake City -- Overstock.com said Friday it has named Stormy Simon and David Nielsen as co-presidents of the company.

Simon was previously SVP over customer and partner care and, with the promotion, will add oversight of warehouse logistics, press relations, social media and strategic marketing.  
 
Nielsen, promoted from SVP merchandising and supply chain, will add oversight of international sales, talent management and information technology.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Friday will open the doors to "Wag U," an internal education center replete with technology-enhanced classrooms, a mock drug store and video-conferencing capabilities. The new learning center will be the base of operations for employee educational programs offered online and in regional locations nationwide.