Corporate Governance

Former Wal-Mart exec new co-owner of New York retailer
New York -- A former executive from Wal-Mart Stores has joined up with a real estate executive to expand New York City-based luxury home décor retailer Gracious Home.

Dottie Mattison who served in a variety of executive roles from 2006 to 2010 at Wal-Mart, including senior VP and general manager of the apparel global merchandising center and chief merchant of Walmart.com, has teamed up with David Mitchell to buy a majority stake in Gracious Home for an undisclosed price. Mattison will serve as CEO and Mitchell as chairman.
Kroger does it again
Cincinnati -- Kroger Co. on Thursday reported a big increase in its first quarter profit and its 46th consecutive quarter of positive identical supermarket sales growth, excluding fuel.

“Our results show the power of our Customer 1st Strategy," stated Rodney McMullen, chairman and CEO, Kroger. "Our associates are making a difference for our customers by providing excellent service and product quality and selection, and we continue to improve the shopping experience by bringing technology and digital capabilities to our business.

Four insights from J.C. Penney’s top two execs

New York -- J.C. Penney CEO Myron Ullman and CEO-designee Marvin Ellison shared their thoughts on the company and its strategy going forward at a recent presentation to analysts.

For the story, click here.
CVS Health giving stores beauty and health makeover

New York -- CVS Health is rethinking every aspect of its store to ensure that it not only reflects the company’s broader commitment to healthcare and but also delivers on what customers have come to expect from its pharmacy locations. The move comes on the heels of its decision more than a year ago to pull the plug on tobacco products and rebrand the company as CVS Health.
Next up for Alibaba: Robots

Tokyo -- Alibaba wants to put a robot, specifically one named Pepper, in your home — or store.

The Chinese e-commerce giant and Foxconn Technology Group announced they are each investing $117.8 million in Japanese telecommunications giant SoftBank’s robotics unit, SoftBank Robotics Holding Corp. Softbank will own 60% of the joint venture, with Alibaba and Foxconn each holding ownership stakes of 20%.
Rite Aid gunning for CVS, Walgreens

On the heels of big news from rival drugstore CVS this week, Rite Aid says it is expecting its EnvisionRx acquisition to increase the company's annual revenue by as much as 18.6%.
Food phenom Kroger outdoes itself in Q1

Kroger turned in a stunning first quarter same store sales performance while expanding omnichannel and convenience capabilities designed to extend a comp streak now well into the 11^th year.

Same store sales rose 5.7% excluding fuel in the first quarter ended May 23. Net income attributable to Kroger rose to $619 million, or $1.25 per share, in the first quarter, from $501 million, or 98 cents per share, a year earlier.
Happily Eva after for New York & Co.

Customers have responded so well to New York & Company’s collaboration with Eva Mendes that the retailer has extended its deal with the Cuban-American actress.

Launches in 2013, the Eva Mendes Collection features five seasonal assortments and 11 unique deliveries a year, which feature apparel and accessories.
Ex-Walmart exec is new co-owner of N.Y. retailer

A former Walmart executive has joined with a real estate executive to expand New York City-based luxury home décor retailer Gracious Home.
Alibaba's next bet is robots

Alibaba wants to put a robot, specifically one named Pepper, in your home — or store.
CVS Health opens tech hub in Boston

CVS Health is aiming to develop cutting-edge digital services and personalized capabilities that will revolutionize health care, and it's all starting with its new lab in Boston.

The CVS Health Digital Innovation Lab, which is now open, will serve as a vital hub for the rapidly growing digital team at CVS Health, which will remain headquartered in Woonsocket, R.I.
Walgreens to offer free HIV tests

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens is participating in a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention pilot with Greater Than AIDS and other organizations and local officials to expand HIV testing services and connect more people with the virus to treatment and care.