Strategy

A letter that surfaced last week from Target executives to the company’s suppliers brought back memories of Tom Hanks signature line from the movie A League of Their Own about how there is no crying in baseball.

Minneapolis -- Due to continued growth in the retail market, Tennant Co. announced it has added an additional strategic accounts manager.  Brian Clifton has been hired to work closely with key retailers to design and implement floor care programs that add value to their organizations.

NAPLES, Fla. — The Retail Industry Leaders Association has appointed new members to its board of directors, including a new board chairman.

RILA said Target chairman, president and CEO Gregg Steinhafel was appointed RILA chairman of the board. Steinhafel, who previously served as vice chairman, succeeds Bill Rhodes, who currently serves as chairman, president and CEO of AutoZone.

Naples, Fla. -- The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) announced the election of Gregg Steinhafel, chairman, president CEO of Target Corp., as chairman of its board of directors.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as chairman of this exceptional group of industry leaders,” said Steinhafel. “Along with the rest of the Board of Directors, I value RILA and its efforts to champion issues that affect our industry, our workforce and our customers.”

INDIANAPOLIS — Jerry Throgmartin, executive chairman and former CEO of Hhgregg has passed away, Dennis May, president and CEO of the company announced Monday.

New York City -- Starbucks Coffee Co. plans to sell beer, wine and more upscale food, including hot flatbreads and small plates, in a small number of its locations in Atlanta and Southern California by the end of this. The company previously announced the same plans for about half a dozen stores in Chicago.

Currently, five stores in the Seattle area and one in Portland, Oregon, now feature the extended offerings.

Dallas -- PeopleAnswers and Canada-based Town Shoes, which sells under Town Shoes and The Shoe Company, announced a software licensing agreement for the retailer to use the PeopleAnswers’ human-relations solution in its 124 stores across Canada for pre-employment screening and employee selection.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway announced Friday that Tom Keller, president of the company's Vons Division, will retire after more than 40 years of distinguished service in the food industry. He will leave his post on Feb. 1. Gary Rocheleau, currently VP retail merchandising execution, will lead the Vons Division on an interim basis.