Corporate Governance

Report: Florida Walmart stores to serve up fast-food formats
Bentonville, Ark. – Five Walmart stores in central Florida are reportedly getting ready to serve the needs of hungry customers.
NRF seeks reversal of joint employer ruling
Washington, D.C. - The National Retail Federation (NRF) is not backing down from its opposition to an expanded definition of “joint employer.”

The NRF is publicly asking Congress to pass legislation introduced this week that would reverse a recent National Labor Relations Board ruling that significantly broadens the definition of a joint employer.

According to the NRF, the move would unfairly make companies that work with franchise locations or subcontractors responsible for actions they do not control.

Simon names location of new development

Indianapolis – Retail real estate firm Simon has announced the location for its Tulsa Premium Outlets.

The project will be built in the city of Jenks, Oklahoma. The first phase of the development will be approximately 325,000 sq. ft. and feature 80 to 90 stores. Construction in Jenks is scheduled to start in spring 2016 with an opening in summer 2017.
Kroger’s winning ways continue in Q2

Cincinnati -- For almost 12 years, Kroger has reported same-store sales growth every quarter. And they did it again Friday.

The supermarket giant reported net earnings of $433 million, or $0.44 per diluted share, and identical supermarket sales growth, without fuel, of 5.3% in the second quarter of fiscal 2015.
After 20 years, Target ends ties with major apparel supplier

New York -- As Target Corp. continues its transformation under CEO Brian Cornell, news came out that the retailer is not renewing its contract with licensed apparel company Cherokee.

Dependent on Target for 43% of its revenue, Cherokee Global Brand saw its market value obliterated after it disclosed Target would not renew the decades-old relationship.
Update on Quiksilver bankruptcy

Huntington Beach, Calif. -- Quiksilver Inc. has got the OK on financing and on some store closures.

Quiksilver Inc. has received preliminary approval from bankruptcy court for a $175 million bankruptcy financing package. The surf apparel chain filed for Chapter 11 protection on Sept. 9.
Mattress Firm in corporate restructuring

Houston -- The integration of the Sleep Train organization into Mattress Firm continues as the firm works to drive future growth.

Mattress Firm Holding Corp. announced that Ken Murphy has been promoted to president and Rob Killgore to COO.
Report: eBay to launch Amazon Prime-styled program

New York -- eBay is about to launch a shipping club that seems somewhat fashioned after Amazon Prime — but it’s not starting out in the United States.

The company will debut its shipping program in Germany, The Street reported. Called eBay Plus, it will reportedly cost 19.90 euros (about $22) a year and will allow buyers to receive certain orders within two days plus free returns.
Former Sears exec back on familiar ground

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Michael McCarthy spent 28 years at Sears Holdings before leaving the company in 2011, but now he is back in new senior level role at the Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores.

In 2012, Sears Holding spun off the Hometown and Outlet division, which is now the operator of 1,215 hardware, appliance and outlet stores and a separate publicly held company.
99 Cents adds another top exec to its ranks

New York -- In another indication of its growth aspirations, 99 Cents Only named a former high ranking Kroger executive president and CEO. The hiring comes just months after the retailer tapped former Walmart executives to fill the head merchant and CFO roles at the 389-store retailer.

Former Kroger and Procter & Gamble executive Geoffrey Covert, 64, was named president and CEO at 99 Cents Only on Sept. 11, filling a position that had been held on an interim basis the past four months by board chairman Andrew Giancamilli.
Three dream tenants for American Dream

New York -- The long-delayed, controversial American Dream retail-entertainment destination in the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, New Jersey, has snared three high-profile tenants.

Hudson's Bay Company announced that three of its store brands — a 131,906 sq. ft. Saks Fifth Avenue, a 119,605 sq. ft. Lord & Taylor, and a 30,000-sq.-ft. Saks Off 5th — will be among the three million-sq.-ft. mega-center’s tenants. It is the first time Hudson’s Bay has housed all three of its U.S. banners in one location.
Top Kroger exec joins 99 Cents Only

In another indication of its growth aspirations, 99 Cents Only named a former high ranking Kroger executive president and CEO just months after the retailer tapped former Walmart executives to fill the head merchant and CFO roles at the 389-store retailer.