Corporate Governance

Ken O’Brien has been elevated to the role of SVP of merchandising at QVC reporting to Doug Howe, QVC’s, EVP of merchandising and planning.

In his new role, Obrien will be responsible for setting and executing QVC’s merchandising strategy for product brands across categories, as well as leading the engagement and management of QVC’s vendor community.
 

Industrial and construction supplies retailer Fastenal said CEO Willard Oberton planned to resign from the 2,700 store retailer effective December 31.

The company on Friday, Nov. 7 disclosed that  Oberton notified the board of directors the prior Monday of his decision to resign. Plans call for Oberton, 56, to remain as chairman of the company and to be actively involved in strategic planning and performance measurements.

Dollar General will honor veterans and their families with a special 11% discount on all qualifying purchases, in-store and online, on Tuesday, November 11, 2014.

New website BeautyKind.us will enable consumers to give back just by making purchases.  Whether it’s shopping for makeup, skincare, fragrances, hair or nail products, 5% of the purchase price of every product will be donated to the charity of the consumer's choice. The unique shopping platform “We-Commerce” was created to integrate cause within commerce and bring the beauty community together for the greater good.

Bay Shore, N.Y. -- Consumers are growing disenchanted by the physical shopping experience, with 63% admitting they prefer to shop online, according to a study by Tensator Group.    Eighty-percent of shoppers have used a store to view a product before purchasing online, the report found. And 68% admitted to using their phone to check the price of an item online before deciding whether to purchase in-store.  

Minneapolis -- Target Corp. has named Jacqueline Hourigan Rice as senior VP, chief risk and compliance officer. Rice is a 17-year veteran of General Motors, where she most recently served as chief compliance officer.  

El Segundo, Calif. -- Skincare brand Murad has opened its first stand-alone retail store, on West 3rd Street in Los Angeles.   

Mateo, Calif. -- ShopRunner announced a new partnership with Alipay which will pave the way for Chinese online shoppers to buy directly from U.S. retailers’ ecommerce sites. Alipay is China's leading e-payments provider and is widely used by hundreds of millions of Chinese online shoppers.  

Alpharetta, Ga. -- Columbia Sportswear Company opened its first-ever store dedicated to its performance fishing gear (PFG) at the Avalon Mall in Alpharetta, Ga. Columbia’s PFG collection is inspired by the performance, style and comfort needs of professional and recreational anglers of all ages.   The 3,176-sq.-ft. store has a clean design, boutique feel and digital integration that includes an interactive knot-tying station.  

Mashantucket, Conn. -- Foxwoods Resort Casino announced that the grand opening of the new Tanger Outlets at Foxwoods will be held on May 21, 2015.