Strategy

MINNEAPOLIS — Paint manufacturer Valspar, has named James Muehlbauer EVP, chief financial and administrative officer, effective March 11,2013. Muehlbauer will replace Lori A. Walker who will retire in April.

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — As Target's Canadian debut draws near, the company announced that it is opening three pilot stores in Ontario on March 5 at Stone Road in Guelph, Milton Mall Shopping Centre in Milton and Gates of Fergus in Fergus. The three pilot stores are the first Target locations to open in Canada, and the first of 124 Target stores that will open across the country throughout 2013.

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. — Quiksilver has announced the appointments of Tom Hartge as global head of footwear and Kasey Mazzone as global head of supply chain. The additions to the team are part of a larger senior management reorganization, which includes Pierre Agnes, president of Quiksilver Europe, assuming the additional role as global head of apparel, and the company recruiting for a chief marketing officer position.

PLANO, Texas — Dr Pepper Snapple Group has purchased a company that bottles its beverages for much of the West, the company said.

FORT WASHINGTON, Pa. — Nutrisystem has announced that Andrea Weiss has joined the company’s board of directors, effective immediately. She replaces Michael Devine, who has resigned from the board.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — The Walmart Foundation is celebrating National Nutrition Month and National School Breakfast Week by giving $6.7 million in grants to five national nonprofit organizations that are providing children with school breakfast and helping families develop better eating habits. The grants are part of Walmart and the Walmart Foundation's $2 billion cash and in-kind commitment through 2015 to help fight hunger in America and Walmart's 2011 initiative to provide customers with healthier and more affordable food choices.

Suffern, N.Y. -- Ascena Retail Group reported Monday that adjusted net income for the quarter ended Jan. 26 dropped to $42.9 million, compared with $63.7 million in the year-ago period, due in large part to expenses associated with the company’s acquisition of Charming Shoppes.

Sales soared 44% to $1.2 billion from $862 million, driven by the added Lane Bryant and Catherine’s banners. Same-store sales dipped 1%.

Columbus, Ohio -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said Monday it has worked with SolarCity to install solar panels on 12 Walmart stores and Sam's Clubs throughout Ohio.

The solar panel installations will add approximately 6,000,000 kWh of generation production – enough energy to power more than 820 homes – and are expected to supply approximately 5%-20% of each store's overall electricity use.

Mississauga, Ontario -- Target announced that it is opening three pilot stores in Ontario on March 5 at Stone Road in Guelph, Milton Mall Shopping Centre in Milton and Gates of Fergus in Fergus. The three pilot stores are the first Target locations to open in Canada, and the first of 124 Target stores that will open across the country throughout 2013.
 

Chicago -- AWE Talisman and Macerich announced Monday that Fashion Outlets of Chicago will open on August 1 in Rosemont, Ill., featuring Bloomingdale's The Outlet Store, Last Call by Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th and 120 additional brands.

The two-level, 530,000-sq.-ft. outlet mall is the first fully enclosed, multi-level property with this level of amenities in the Chicago area in more than two decades, according to both companies.