Corporate Governance

Ann Inc. has named Coca-Cola executive Katie J. Bayne to its board of directors as the company looks to increase traffic and sales.

"Katie is an outstanding addition to Ann Inc.'s board of directors. She brings an exceptional background in strategic marketing and brand management that will add value to the company," said Ron Hovsepian, non-executive chairman of the board. "We're delighted to welcome her to the board and look forward to her insights and contributions."

American Girl is pledging to give away 1,000 dolls a day, or $3 million in retail value, to children in hospitals across the country this holiday season.

Now through Dec. 18, American Girl will match any doll purchase made online, in-store or via phone with an 18-inch doll donation (up to 1,000 dolls each day) as part of its 2014 “Share the Wonder of the Holidays” giving campaign.

American Girl is pledging to give away 1,000 dolls a day, or $3 million in retail value, to children in hospitals across the country this holiday season.  

Now through Dec. 18, American Girl will match any doll purchase made online, in-store or via phone with an 18-inch doll donation (up to 1,000 dolls each day) as part of its 2014 “Share the Wonder of the Holidays” giving campaign.

E-commerce firm BrandShop announced that Reuben Hendell has been named chief executive officer of the company. Hendell will also serve on BrandShop's board of directors.  

BrandShop provides digital commerce services for such brands as ArmorAll, Casio, Cuisinart, Hershey's, Nicorette, Ping, Samuel Adams and Waterpik.  

Joe Arcuri, vice president and general manager of Procter & Gamble's North American beauty business, has been hired as president of home solutions for Newell Rubbermaid. He'll start the new job on Dec. 1.  

"Joe brings an incredible set of global leadership experiences, a consistent pattern of excellent results and immense personal potential to the company as we continue the drive to make Newell Rubbermaid a larger, faster growing, more profitable, more global company," said Michael Polk, CEO of Newell Rubbermaid.  

In an effort to generate traffic and increase sales at its physical stores, Barnes & Noble has announced a secret weapon against Amazon.com this Black Friday.

Barnes & Noble recruited 100 prominent authors — including Donna Tartt, David Mitchell, Dan Brown, E. L. James, Jeff Kinney, George W. Bush and Hillary Clinton — to each sign roughly 5,000 copies of their latest books. The company will distribute and sell the 500,000 signed books among its retail stores only. The signed books will not be available on the company’s website.

Redbox is raising its prices in an effort to boost stagnant sales and get more revenue out of its existing customers.  

The merchandising organization at Walmart is being transformed again following the departure of EVP and Chief Merchandising Officer Duncan Mac Naughton, which triggered several other high level moves.

Americans’ well-founded apprehension about the security of their personal information received a booster shot of sorts when 60 Minutes aired a disturbing piece about the state of digital security.

Washington, D.C. - The National Retail Federation  asking President Obama to step into continuing labor unrest at the nation’s West Coast ports. The NRF has issued a statement its president and CEO, Matthew Shay, following reports that the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and Pacific Maritime Association are taking a break from contract negotiations.