Corporate Governance

Whole Foods Market cuts ties with prison labor program after backlash
On the heels of lackluster quarterly sales, job cuts and an overcharging scandal, Whole Foods Market is getting another round of bad publicity, and this time it’s about prison labor.

The retailer will stop selling food produced under a prison labor program. Specifically, it said it will stop selling tilapia sourced from Quixotic Farming and cheese distributed by Haystack Mountain Goat Dairy. Both companies partner with Colorado Correctional Industries (CCI), a division of Colorado's Department of Corrections.
Lifetime Fitness Pro Shops shine with new fixturing solution
Lifetime Fitness has selected a fixturing solution from Cubic Visual Systems for use in its pro shops.

“Their retail fixturing solutions seemed to offer the durability and design flare that we were searching for in our pro shops,” said Julie Yager, senior VP of Lifetime Fitness.

The Chanhassen, Minnesota-based fitness company, which has its own millwork resources, is using Cubic Visual Systems’ hardware resources in eight to 10 shops. Lifetime Fitness intends to work with Cubic Visual Systems going forward.

J.Crew Mercantile to open first-to-market store in Charlotte, N.C.

Charlotte, N.C. -- EDENS announced that J.Crew Mercantile will be joining Park Road Shopping Center located in Charlotte, North Carolina. This location will be the first in the Charlotte market and is expected to open in early 2016.

J.Crew launched J.Crew Mercantile earlier this year, featuring a collection of value-driven merchandise with the brand's classic signature style.
Brixmor names Mark Salma new VP of redevelopment

New York -- Brixmor Property Group announced commercial real estate professional Mark Salma has joined the company as VP of redevelopment. In his role, Salma will focus on Brixmor’s anchor space repositioning projects in the North region with the goal of driving higher sales, traffic and small shop leasing at the property level.
'America's biggest health fair' is coming to Walmart

Walmart is planning to hold what will it says will be “America's Biggest Health Fair” across 4,400 locations on the afternoon of Oct. 10.

Given Walmart's expansive reach and the number of complementary health screenings being provided, the company expects to uncover as many as 3,000 cases of diabetes over the course of the day and 7,000 incidences of high blood pressure.
Is the Container Store still really on track for growth?

The CEO of The Container Store says the company is still on track to maximize profitability despite a disappointing second quarter that produced little sales and revenue growth.

The Texas-based chain reported that for the second quarter ended Aug. 29, revenue edged up 1.2% to $195.5 million. Net income fell by more than 60% to $2.67 million, with earnings of $0.06 per share, a penny less than the consensus forecast and down by more than half from last year's $0.14 per share showing.
Gelson’s bidding on some Haggen stores

Gelson's Markets is joining Smart & Final on the acquisition of some Haggen properties in Southern California.

Gelson's, a regional supermarket chain operating in Southern California, announced it is bidding on eight Haggen locations across five counties: Los Angeles County (Santa Monica); Orange County (Laguna Beach, Ladera Ranch); Riverside County (Rancho Mirage); San Diego County (Carlsbad, Del Mar, Pacific Beach); and Ventura County (Thousand Oaks).
Home Depot adds IT, cybersecurity expert to board

Nearly a year after a massive data breach, the Home Depot is looking to a cybersecurity veteran to add expertise to its board directors.

The world's largest home improvement retailer said it has appointed Linda R. Gooden to the company's board of directors. Gooden will serve on the company's audit and leadership development and compensation committees. Her appointment gives the company 12 directors, 11 of whom are independent.
Kurt Salmon acquires digital retail tech agency

Global management consultancy Kurt Salmon is acquiring digital retail technology agency Mobispoke LLC, the engine behind such technologies as smart fitting rooms, integrated mobile apps and other leading-edge, interactive shopping experience technologies.

Following the acquisition, Mobispoke will rebrand as Kurt Salmon Digital and will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Kurt Salmon.
Tanger closes on sale of five centers

Tanger Factory Outlet Centers has closed on the sale of five non-core outlet centers for a total cash sales price of $150.7 million.

The five properties sold are located in Barstow, California; Kittery, Maine (two properties); Tuscola, Illinois; and West Branch, Michigan.
It’s official: POPAI, A.R.E are one

A.R.E. (Association for Retail Environments) and POPAI (Point of Purchase Advertising International) have merged. The new association, which will be renamed in the coming months, creates one industry association representing all of the companies that provide end –‐to –‐end products and services for retail store environments and customer experiences.
SuperTarget previews updated look

Target is showing off an updated look at its redone store in Minnetonka, Minnesota.

The remodeled SuperTarget is serving as a testing ground such overall store updates as bolder, more playful signage, and new displays and for new concepts in the grocery area.

The chain is also putting the spotlight on its “Made to Matter — Handpicked by Target” collection of healthy-living brands, with more prominent signs on the ends of aisles.