Trading Partners

Foothills Ranch, Calif. -- The chairman of The Wet Seal and three other directors have stepped down from its board, replaced by four nominees of the Clinton Group. The move follows several attempts by the activist investor group, which holds about 7% of Wet Seal, to take control of the struggling retailer.

As a result of the board changes, Clinton Group has agreed to terminate its effort to get support from shareholders for its nominees, Wet Seal said Friday.

ST. LOUIS — Ralcorp Holdings has named Keith Meister, the founder and managing partner of Corvex Management LP, to its board of directors, effective immediately.  In addition, Meister will join the strategy and financial oversight committee which is charged by the board of directors with the evaluation of strategic opportunities to drive shareholder value.

FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif. — Teen retailer Wet Seal continues to urge its shareholders to reject efforts by Clinton Group to replace the company’s current experienced directors with Clinton Group’s hand-picked nominees who lack relevant experience.

New York -- The Wet Seal Inc. encouraged its shareholders on Wednesday to reject efforts by its third-largest investor, Clinton Group, to gain control of the board, Reuters reported. The company's board has eight seats, of which one is vacant.

Clinton, which holds approximately 7% of Wet Seal, said retailer earlier in the day backtracked on an offer, made via an investment banker, for four directors to resign in exchange for the activist investor ending its move, according to the report.

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.

FREMONT, Calif. — Men's Wearhouse is partnering with The Knot Wedding Network, a popular wedding resource, to become the tuxedo provider of choice on TheKnot.com. 

Through the exclusive arrangement, brides-to-be will have the opportunity to view and interact with Men's Wearhouse brand-name tuxedo merchandise at an early stage of the wedding planning process.

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.
 

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.