Trading Partners

Arlington, Va. – The nation’s leading retail associations have joined together supporting legislation to combat cyber threats.

Pittsburgh – GNC Holdings Inc. is making moves to both buy stock and sell convertible notes.

The retailer has authorized a multi-year program to repurchase up to $500 million of its Class A common stock.

The authorization is in addition to the company's previous authorization, which currently has $242 million remaining. The repurchases are expected to take place during the next 24 months with the amount and timing determined by GNC.

Canton, Mass. -- A Rockport veteran is returning to head up the company he left more than 30 years ago.

On Monday, investment firm Berkshire Partners and New Balance Holding completed their acquisition of The Rockport Company from the Adidas Group. As part of the transaction, New Balance affiliate Drydock Footwear will join with Rockport to form The Rockport Group. Bob Infantino was named CEO of the reorganized company.

Boca Raton, Fla. - Office Depot, Inc. has been recognized for outstanding product quality and service by privately-held home builder David Weekley Homes.

This marks the 10th consecutive year that Office Depot has received the “A,A Partners of Choice” award given this year to 15 of David Weekley Homes’ suppliers.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. – Sears Holdings Corp. is expecting to announce some rare good news about profits thanks to a real estate spinoff when it reports its second quarter results on Aug. 20. But the news will be tempered by dismal sales results.

New York -- American Express Co and Costco Wholesale Corp. are at it again.

A lawsuit has been filed accusing American Express of misleading investors about the loss of its contract with Costco after having failed to reveal how significant that business had become to the credit-card company, Reuters reported.

Carrollton, Texas -- TGI Fridays is looking for a new chief executive.

The company announced that Nick Shepherd recently informed the Fridays’ board of his decision to step down as president and CEO, citing that he believes the time is right to pass the torch to a new leader to steer the 50-year-old brand through its next chapter of growth.

Shepherd will continue to actively lead the business through mid-October, and will be working closely with Fridays chairman of the board, John Antioco.

Dallas - 7-Eleven Inc. is taking its business to Vietnam.

The company has signed a master franchise agreement with Seven System Vietnam Co. Ltd. to develop and operate 7-Eleven stores in Vietnam, with the first stores expected to open in 2017. Seven Systems plans to construct 7-Eleven stores, convert existing locations to the 7-Eleven brand supported by enhanced infrastructure, and eventually franchise operations to local businesspeople.

Bentonville, Ark. – Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is reportedly making sure its suppliers understand expectations for labeling of products.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the retailer recently sent a memo to hundreds of suppliers, including major CPG firms such as Kraft Heinz Co. and Nestle, reminding them that the amount of an item inside a package must match the amount stated on the outside label.

Ahold USA has become the first major grocery retailer to join an initiative requiring Florida tomato suppliers to increase farmworker pay and protect workers from forced labor and sexual assault.

The Coalition of Immokalee Workers announced Wednesday that Ahold USA is America's first major grocer to join the group's Fair Food Program. Ahold USA is the parent company of Stop & Shop, Giant Foods of Landover, Giant Foods of Carlisle, Martin's and online grocer Peapod.