Trading Partners

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Meijer announced that it is strengthening its commitment to local suppliers by increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables it sources from Midwest farms by 5% this year.  The announcement was made today by Mark Stevenson, produce director at the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based supercenter chain.

IRVING, Texas  — Michaels Stores and procurement management firm announced on Friday a five-year agreement under which LogicSource will provide print procurement and related services to Michaels.

More than $250 million of print and promotional spend will be covered over the life of the contract.

Prior to beginning the relationship, LogicSource conducted a strategic analysis of Michaels’s print production ecosystem, from creative through to distribution, and developed a program designed for cost savings and operational enhancements.

SARASOTA, Fla. — Charlie Bowlus, CEO and founder of ECRM has died unexpectedly from complications following emergency surgery three weeks ago.

Walmart’s policy of prohibiting employees from accepting the smallest of gratuities has been in place for a long time and for good reason. Veterans of the company will tell you that early on it was a key driver of success because there was a time when the retail industry was rife with merchants who tended to make buying decisions that were in their best interest as opposed to those of customers.

New York City -- CB Richard Ellis Group, Inc. announced Tuesday that Matt Van Buren has been promoted to president, New York Tri-State Region.

Van Buren joined CBRE in January 2006. Previously, he served as executive managing director, with responsibility for CBRE's Midtown Manhattan brokerage division, as well as all activities relating to the firm's operations at its New York City headquarters at 200 Park Avenue.

Bloomfield Hills, Mich. -- Shopping center owner Taubman Centers reported Monday that its Taubman Asia division will acquire 90% controlling interest in TCBL Consulting Limited, a Beijing-based retail real estate consultancy with seven offices in mainland China.

Operating internationally is full of pitfalls and political peculiarity, as Walmart has again discovered in South Africa where various government officials are attempting to wring additional concessions from the company related to its acquisition of Massmart.

Operating internationally is full of pitfalls and political peculiarity, as Walmart has again discovered in South Africa where various government officials are attempting to wring additional concessions from the company related to its acquisition of Massmart.