Finance & Capital Management

Deerfield, Ill. -- Walgreen Co. said Tuesday it will terminate a $5.3 billion-per-year relationship with Express Scripts.

Walgreen reported that contract negotiations with Express Scripts have failed, and it will stop participating in the St. Louis company's prescription plans starting Jan. 1. Express Scripts processes about 90 million prescriptions that will be filled at Walgreen stores in fiscal 2011, which will bring Walgreen about $5.3 billion in revenue.

Dallas -- Web-based hiring assessment provider PeopleAnswers said Tuesday that The Cheesecake Factory will use the PeopleAnswers HR solution in its 164 restaurants to pre-screen and select hourly staff.

The objective is to fill each position with individuals who will help maintain The Cheesecake Factory’s quality brand.

LOS ANGELES — Guess? Inc. has announced that Maurice Marciano, the company's co-founder and chairman of its board of directors, has notified the company of his decision to retire as an executive officer when his current employment agreement expires on Jan. 28, 2012, the end of the company's current fiscal year.  Marciano will continue to serve the company as non-rxecutive chairman of its board of directors.

Los Angeles -- Guess announced Monday that its co-founder and chairman Maurice Marciano will retire as chairman in January 2012, at the end of the company’s fiscal year.

Marciano will continue as non-executive chairman of Guess' board of directors, and the company will retain him for two years as a consultant.

Marciano, who hails from southern France and with his brothers founded Guess in 1981, was CEO and co-CEO from 1993 to 2007.

Boston -- A survey released Tuesday by the Boston Consulting Group found that a growing number of consumers around the world are growing more anxious about the future, and are planning to reduce or maintain -- but not increase -- their spending.

Cincinnati -- In its fifth annual sustainability report, released Tuesday, The Kroger Co. said it continues to meet its benchmarks, including reducing in-store energy consumption by 30%.

"In 2010, Kroger stores saved enough energy to power the city of Fort Worth for a full year,” said Rodney McMullen, president and COO of Kroger. “We sent less waste to landfills, recycled more plastic, and provided our customers with five million more reusable bags.”

SAN FRANCISCO — Williams-Sonoma that its board of directors has elected Rose Marie Bravo to the board.

Pittsburgh -- GNC Holdings announced Monday that its president and chief merchandising and marketing officer Beth Kaplan has resigned the company.

After three-and-a-half years in the position, Kaplan cited a desire to pursue personal interests as reason for the departure. She will also resign as a director of the company.

Joe Fortunato, CEO, will reassume the title of president of GNC.

In related news, Amy B. Lane has joined GNC Holdings’ board of directors, replacing Kaplan.