Trading Partners

MINNEAPOLIS — Supervalu on Tuesday named Michael Moore EVP and chief marketing officer. Moore will lead all of the company’s marketing activities, including overseeing customer and brand strategy, advertising, customer loyalty, and research and analytics.

Moore was named to the top marketing post following this week’s decision by Julie Dexter Berg to leave the company and return to the West Coast.

New York City -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. on Wednesday opened its second supercenter and fifth location overall in Chicago.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target has promoted John Mulligan to the position of EVP and CFO, effective April 1. Mulligan currently serves as SVP finance. He replaces Doug Scovanner, Target’s EVP and CFO for the past 18 years, who announced his retirement in November 2011, effective March 31. 

NEW YORK — A New York state Supreme Court filing on Monday disclosed that Macy’s Inc. is suing Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. for breach of contract after Martha Stewart set up a new deal last December with JCPenney to sell products at its stores.

New York City -- A New York state Supreme Court filing on Monday disclosed that Macy’s Inc. is suing Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. for breach of contract after Martha Stewart set up a new deal last December with J.C. Penney to sell products at its stores.

According to Macy's, Martha Stewart Living granted it product exclusivity under a 2006 agreement. J.C. Penney, which acquired a 16.6% stake in the company in December, plans to open Martha Stewart Living in-store shops, beginning in 2013, which violates that exclusivity, said Macy’s.

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.

One thing merchants know about markdowns is they are best taken early and at a modest level to stimulate sales as opposed clinging too long to the belief goods will sell at full price only to realize steeper cuts are needed. Apparently this philosophy doesn’t apply in the financial services world where Target has temporarily suspended the sale of its credit card receivables portfolio on better terms.

Target chairman, president and CEO Gregg Steinhafel was elected chairman of the board of the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA).

Steinhafel previously served as the board’s vice chairman and in his new capacity succeeds former RILA board chairman Bill Rhodes, chairman, president and CEO of AutoZone. 

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.

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.”