Corporate Governance

State of the Industry Report from WD Partners and Top 100 Retailers list
This special report by WD Partners examines one of the most crucial questions confronting the retail industry: the role of the physical store in a digital age. It provides a call to action for a new retail experience, and offers insights and guidance on how retailers can position themselves for success in this new age.

Click here to download the report.
Retailers getting ready for EMV shift, but what about consumers?
Arlington, Va. -- A report says that only one in five debit and credit cards are ready for the EMV shift.

As retailers spend billions to upgrade their point of sale terminals to accept new chip cards before the Oct. 1 liability shift deadline, the nation’s largest card network acknowledged that a staggering number of magnetic “swipe” cards have not been replaced with new cards.

New honor for Container Store’s Kip Tindell

Dallas -- Kip Tindell, co-founder, chairman and CEO of The Container Store, has joined a global list of who’s who in retailing.

Tindell was inducted into the World Retail Hall of Fame during a closing day ceremony at the World Retail Congress in Rome, Italy. Now in its ninth year, the World Retail Hall of Fame has honored founders of some of the retail world’s most iconic brands.
American Express lost Costco, but it gained its rival

Bentonville, Ark. -- In the latest move in its battle against Costco, Sam's Club is going to start accepting the very form of payment that Costco rebuffed earlier this year.

Starting Oct. 1, all Sam’s Club locations in the U.S. and Puerto Rico will take American Express cards at checkout. Earlier this year Costco ended its 16-year relationship with American in favor of Visa after the two companies could not come to an agreement on new terms.
City Sports on the move

Boston -- Boston-based City Sports has entered a new state.

The specialty store retailer announced the opening a 10,000-sq.-ft. store at Mosaic District, a mixed-use lifestyle center located in Merrifield, Virginia.
Kroger makes four big senior leadership changes

Cincinnati — Kroger on Thursday announced the appointment of four executive VPs to lead key lines of business.
Circle K vet joins Andronico’s as CFO

Berkeley, Calif. - Cheryl Hughes has joined Andronico’s Community Markets as CFO. Recently appointed CEO Suzy Monford leads the all-female team.

Hughes formerly held the role of controller for Chemoil, a global oil trading organization. Prior to this role she was CFO at Pacific Convenience & Fuels based in Pleasanton. Her career in food and retail dates back to her 15-year stint as director of U.S. Finance with Circle K Stores Inc.
Report: Kmart makes holiday purchases easier

Hoffman Estates, Ill. – Kmart is making getting an advance jump on holiday purchases a little easier this year.

Company executives told Reuters the retailer started letting customers make no-down-payment layaway purchases for holiday items the week of Aug. 31.
NRF: Retail imports on the rise

Washington, D.C. – Retail imports appear to be climbing as the holidays approach.
Visa invests in cryptocurrency technology

Foster City, Calif. – Financial services provider Visa Inc. is among the lead investors in a $30 million round of equity funding for a blockchain technology provider.
Corner Bakery Café expands in Pittsburgh

Dallas -- Corner Bakery Café is expanding in Pennsylvania with the addition of eight stores throughout northern Pittsburgh. A group of franchisees with extensive real estate and retail experience is opening the new stores.

Corner Bakery Café is also targeting southern Pittsburgh for franchise growth. The retailer has more than 190 company-owned and franchise stores currently open, and franchise agreements representing commitments for 398 units.
Ollie’s sees post-IPO sales growth

Ollie’s Bargain Outlet delivered strong sales growth in its first quarter as a public company and expects the second half of the year will see more of the same from its rapidly expanding store based and extreme value positioning.