Corporate Governance

Amazon is expanding its fledgling bricks-and-mortar bookstore format.   The Internet giant plans to open a third Amazon Books this fall, at Washington Square Mall, in Tigard, Oregon, just outside of Portland, The Oregonian reported.   

Specialty alcoholic beverage retailer BevMo is shuffling its leadership team as part of an organizational transformation initiative.  

Fans of Harley-Davidson can immerse themselves in the brand at the new “1903—A Harley Davidson Cafe” in downtown Toronto.   Named for the year the company  was founded, the 4,200-sq.-ft. café features a biker-themed décor inspired by the history of the 114-year-old brand. Folks who have never hopped on a Harley can get a taste of the experience by taking a test ride on the JumpStart ride simulator.  

In a new federal lawsuit, The Home Depot Inc. is accusing Visa and MasterCard of not doing enough to ensure EMV-compliant, chip-based payment cards truly prevent fraud.  

The idea of Starbucks serving as a “third place” outside of home and work has been reinforced with a new add-in to Microsoft Outlook.  

Rite Aid Corp. reported disappointing first-quarter earnings and sales results in its first quarter amid pressure on pharmacy reimbursement rates.   The chain reported a loss of $4.6 million for the quarter ended May 28, after reporting a profit in the same period a year earlier. Excluding certain items, adjusted net income was $14.5 million, or 1 cent per diluted share, compared with 2 cents a year earlier.   The results fell short of Wall Street expectations.   

Two private equity firms have thrown their hats in the arena to buy Cabela’s.   The firms, New York-based Apax Partners and San Francisco-based TPG Capital,  are each meeting Cabela’s management as part of an auction for the 82-store chain, the New York Post reported.   Bass Pro Shops is also interested in Cabela’s, and has partnered with Goldman Sachs Group’s private equity arm to make an offer for its rival, according to Reuters.  

Wal-Mart Stores sent out a message to naysayers who say the chain’s best days are behind it.    Speaking at the Consumer Goods Forum conference in Cape Town, South Africa, Wal-Mart CEO Doug McMillion said the retailer expects to add $45 billion to $60 billion of new sales during the next three years.  

Vitamin Shoppe on Thursday announced that it has hired Jason Reiser as COO effective July 11.    

Target Corp. is continuing to hire tech experts for its ultra-secret “Goldfish” project, with the newest recruit being the former chief technology officer of sports news website Bleacher Report.     The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal reported that Sam Parnell has joined Target with a title of VP of innovation, and be based in the company’s office in Sunnyvale, California.