Trading Partners

The Hershey Company is working with its suppliers to achieve 100% traceable and sustainably sourced palm oil by the end of 2014.

The company has also achieved its commitment to source 100% mass balanced Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil-certified palm oil more than a year ahead of its original 2015 commitment.

Another piece of the leadership puzzle fell into place at Kroger as the company continues to execute a succession strategy backed by the tailwind of 40 consecutive quarter of same store sales growth.

Kroger named Mark Tuffin to the role of SVP of the company’s retail divisions to fill a position previously held by Michael Ellis who was elevated to the role of president and COO last month. Tuffin previously served as president of the company’s Smith’s Food and Drug Stores division.

Washington, D.C. -- The National Retail Federation issued the following statement from senior VP and general counsel Mallory Duncan in response to U.S. District Court Judge John Gleeson’s approval of a controversial antitrust lawsuit over credit card swipe fees:

Bentonville, Ark. – Wal-Mart Stores has named a new president and CEO of its Indian operations. According to multiple media reports, Krish Iyler, who has been a senior VP in Wal-Mart’s international unit since January 2013, will assume his new role on Jan. 20. 2014.

Seattle – Nordstrom has closed a previously announced offering of $400 million aggregate principal amount of 5.00% Senior Notes due 2044. The proceeds from the sale of the notes will be used for general corporate purposes, including repayment or retirement of outstanding indebtedness due in 2014, financing of capital expenditures and working capital needs.

The notes were offered in a private placement, solely to qualified institutional buyers in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933.

York, Pa. – Bon-Ton Stores has entered into an amendment to the company’s existing $675 million asset-based revolving credit facility that was scheduled to mature in March 2016. Bank of America, N.A. continues to serve as Agent on the credit facility.

The second amendment extends the maturity date of the commitments under the credit facility to Dec. 12, 2018. The amendment provides interest rate reductions and generally favorable revisions regarding the facility requirements.

Walmart has appointed Krish Iyer president and CEO of Walmart India, effective Jan. 20, 2014. He will report to Scott Price, president of Walmart Asia.

The Coca-Cola Company is making management and organizational changes to Coca-Cola Americas as part of its agenda to accelerate growth.

The company, which reorganized its operating structure last year, is taking further steps to streamline its focus and expedite its refranchising to independent bottling partners.

Effective Jan. 1, 2014, the integrated North America business will be segmented into a traditional company and bottler operating model that will consist of two operating units: Coca-Cola North America and Coca-Cola Refreshments.

By Keri Dawson, VP, Industry Solutions and Advisory Services, MetricStream, [email protected]

As 2013 comes to an end, the retail/CPG industry is bracing itself for even greater compliance requirements, increased regulatory scrutiny, and more risks resulting from social media, global operations, and multi-tiered supply chains.

Increased traffic at Costco helped fueled sales in the first quarter of 2014.