Trading Partners

Walmart and other retailers are facing renewed criticism over their global sourcing practices following another factory disaster in Bangladesh.

Reuters is reporting that a block of garment factories and shops collapsed in Savar, 20 miles outside Dhaka, on Wednesday, killing 251 people and injuring more than a thousand. According to the report, an unknown number of the more than 3,000 people who work at the factory remain trapped inside. For more information, go to:

Pleasanton, Calif. -- Safeway Inc. on Thursday said it earned $118.9 million, in the first quarter ended March 23, up from $72.9 million a year earlier, helped by tax benefits. The company maintained its forecast for the year.

Net sales inched down to $9.99 billion, from $10 billion a year ago, as the company sold its Genuardi’s division. Same-store sales rose 1.5%.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — AutoZone recognized Spectra Premium Industries as its Vendor of the Year during the company's annual AutoZone Vendor Summit held in Tunica, Miss.

"Spectra has been a strong AutoZone supplier for more than five years. During that time they have collaborated with us to grow sales and improve productivity in the categories they supply us," said Bill Rhodes, chairman, president and CEO of AutoZone.

The Hershey Company announced a series of personnel moves it said would help accelerate global growth.

Executives involved in the changes which take effect May 13 include Humberto Alfonso, David Tacka, Michele Buck, E. Daniel Vucovich, D. Michael Wege and Waheed Zaman

NEW YORK — A Monday report by Forbes said that former retail executive Mark Begelman has been charged with profiting off confidential information.

The SEC leveed insider trading charges against Begelman for allegedly using confidential information for his own gain, concerning the upcoming acquisition of Bluegreen Corp. by BFC Financial Corp. Begelman was COO for Office Depot, but left the company in 1995 to found Markee Recording and Rehearsal, a company geared toward musicians. 

New York -- A Monday report by Reuters said that J.C. Penney has begun selling the Martha Stewart “JCP Everyday” lines of home goods, without waiting for a decision from the New York court.

According to Reuters, Penney general merchandise manager Paul Rutenis testified in New York State Supreme Court on Monday that "as of today, those products are on the floor and online."

New York -- A Monday report by Forbes said that former Office Depot COO Mark Begelman has been charged with profiting off confidential information.

The SEC leveed insider trading charges against Begelman for allegedly using confidential information for his own gain, concerning the upcoming acquisition of Bluegreen Corp. by BFC Financial Corp.

Oak Brook, Ill. -- McDonald's Corp. reported Friday that net income for the quarter ended March 31 rose about 1% to $1.27 billion, from $1.26 billion last year. Total revenue also rose 1%, to $6.6 billion from $6.5 billion.

Same-store sales dipped, however, impacted said McDonald’s by a tightened eating-out environment during the quarter.

At home, same-store sales dipped 1.2%.