Trading Partners

OAKLAND, Calif. — Ecologic Brands, makers of America’s first molded paper bottles, has named Alan Murray, CEO of NextFoods and Dr. Steve Miller, chief innovation catalyst at P&G, to its advisory board.

LAKELAND, Fla.— Publix on Monday announced its board of directors declared a semi-annual dividend on its common stock of 30 cents per share. The dividend will be payable and mailed Dec. 3, 2012, to stockholders of record as of the close of business Oct. 31, 2012.

LG Electronics and Whirlpool Corp. have agreed to settle their respective patent infringement disputes related to refrigerators, ending years of litigation between the two companies. Three pending lawsuits will be dismissed in the U.S. District Courts in Delaware and New Jersey, according to the announcement. All other terms of the settlement are confidential.

Philadelphia -- Charter Realty & Development said that it has arranged for a 9,887-sq.-ft. lease for Planet Fitness in the Mayfair Shopping Center in Philadelphia.

The shopping center is anchored by, Shop N Bag, Dollar Tree and Wells Fargo.
 

DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. — Walgreens’ fiscal fourth quarter net income fell 55% compared with a year ago when the drugstore operator recorded a big business sale gain. However, its adjusted earnings still beat analysts’ expectations.

Walgreen earned $353 million for the quarter ended Aug. 31, compared with $792 million a year ago. On an adjusted basis, Walgreen earned $553 million versus $599 million a year earlier. Adjusted earnings excluded acquisition-related costs and costs related to inventory.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears customers can now engage the services of Jackson Hewitt for tax preparation for the 2013 season.

Deerfield Beach, Fla. -- Walgreens’ fiscal fourth quarter net income fell 55% compared with a year ago when the drugstore operator recorded a big business sale gain. However, its adjusted earnings still beat analysts’ expectations.

Walgreen earned $353 million for the quarter ended Aug. 31, compared with $792 million a year ago. On an adjusted basis, Walgreen earned $553 million versus $599 million a year earlier. Adjusted earnings excluded acquisition-related costs and costs related to inventory.

Corporate governance is a familiar topic, especially to Walmart and its suppliers, but the concept of supply chain governance is less well understood.

A global leader in the space, MetricStream, aims to change that. In a nutshell, the frim explains that supply chain governance is about helping organizations streamline and manage their supplier quality and performance while also identifying, mitigating and managing supplier risks for key procurement and manufacturing process.

Oak Brook, Ill. -- Inland American Real Estate Trust has announced the appointment of Thomas P. McGuinness as president. McGuinness joined Inland in 1982 and has held several executive positions throughout the Inland organization.  

In his new role, he will oversee the management of the company’s day-to-day operations, including the strategic business plan, investment decisions, asset management and financing functions for the national portfolio of 48 million sq. ft.

Foothill Ranch, Calif. -- The Wet Seal said that two independent proxy advisors, Institutional Shareholder Services and Egan-Jones Proxy Services, recommended that the chain’s shareholders reject efforts by Clinton Group to replace six members of the company’s board of directors.