Trading Partners

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores is tightening the reins on its global suppliers. Effective March 1, the retailer is implementing a "zero tolerance" policy for any supplier who subcontracts work to factories without the company’s knowledge, the Associated Press reported. Previously, Wal-Mart gave suppliers three chances to correct mistakes.

As part of the new rules, Wal-Mart will require all factories in Bangladesh to undergo an electrical and building safety assessment from an independent agency.

Norwalk, Conn. -- BJ’s Wholesale Club has reached a multi-year agreement with LogicSource Inc. to provide enhanced print procurement and management services that will deliver significant cost savings to BJ’s. Terms were not disclosed.

LogicSource will provide onsite co-sourcing for all of BJ’s print procurement needs by collaborating with BJ’s to identify new potential supply chain partners and procurement efficiencies.

The Grocery Manufacturers Association inducted J. M. Smucker Company chairman Tim Smucker and Wegmans CEO Danny Wegman into its Hall of Achievement and presented Harris Teeter president and COO Fred Morganthall the award for Industry Collaboration Leadership.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The retired head of Midwestern supermarket chain Hy-Vee took home the top honor at a recent supermarket industry conference.

The Food Marketing Institute said Monday that it gave its most prestigious honor — the Sidney R. Rabb Award for excellence in serving the consumer, the community and the industry — to retired Hy-Vee chairman and CEO Ric Jurgens at the FMI Midwinter Executive Conference.

YONKERS, N.Y. — American Sugar Refining, Inc., the world's largest supplier of refined sugar, has a new corporate brand name. ASR Group will now encompass its leading brands and affiliated companies, which include Domino Sugar.

New York -- Family Dollar on Friday increased its annual dividend by 24%. The annual payout now totals $1.04 following a decision by the retailer’s board to elevate the quarterly dividend to 26 cents a share from 21 cents a share.

In addition, the board authorized the repurchase of an additional $300 million in stock under an existing program that had only $94 million in authorization remaining.

Target is relying on two new services providers to operate its mobile business following an end to its short-lived relationship with RadioShack.

New York -- Target is relying on two new services providers to operate its mobile business following an end to its short-lived relationship with RadioShack.

Fort Worth, Texas -- RadioShack Corp. announced that it is ending its relationship with Target, where it helps operate Target Mobile in 1,500 Target stores, effective April 8.

The RadioShack and Target partnership provided RadioShack access to manage Target's post-paid mobility business. But RadioShack did not manage the prepaid mobility business or the wider range of accessories offered in Target stores.

New York -- The National Retail Federation on Monday announced that Saks Inc. chairman and CEO Stephen I. Sadove has been elected chairman of the NRF board of directors and chairman of its executive committee.

Sadove succeeds NRF’s immediate past chairman, Terry J. Lundgren, chairman, president and CEO of Macy’s.