Corporate Governance

CVS, Rite Aid disable Apple Pay
Woonsocket, R.I. –- CVS Health Corp. and Rite Aid. Corp., which have both used the near-field communication (NFC) technology that supports Apple Pay, have disabled their NFC payment systems to block Apple Pay from working in their stores.
Stonewall Kitchen receives Centre Partners investment, names new CEO
York, Me. –- Stonewall Kitchen has received an investment from private equity firm Centre Partners. As part of the investment, Stonewall Kitchen will continue to be managed by its existing leadership team with the addition of Centre operating partner John Stiker, who has been named CEO.

Report: Luxottica owner says return as CEO temporary

Milan, Italy –- Leonardo Del Vecchio, 79, the chairman and founder of global eyewear manufacturer/retailer Luxottica Group who assumed the role of interim CEO on Oct. 14, has reportedly sent a letter to employees reassuring them his return as CEO is temporary. According to Reuters, in the letter, Del Vecchio said he would step down and turn management over to new co-CEOs once the company’s new governance structure is consolidated.
Woolrich John Rich & Bros. continues global store expansion with Tokyo flagship

New York -- Woolrich John Rich & Bros. announced the opening of its first Tokyo flagship, in the fashionable Omotesando neighborhood. Following the opening of the brand’s first U.S. flagship this September, Woolrich John Rich & Bros. continues its global expansion plan with the new addition in Japan.
Century 21 opens as The Gallery anchor Oct. 28

Philadelphia -- Century 21 Department Store is opening an approximately 95,000-sq.-ft. anchor store at The Gallery shopping center in Philadelphia on Tuesday, Oct. 28. This will be New York-based Century 21’s first location outside the New York market.
Three Suggestions for Avoiding Automation Aberration

Sears and Amazon.com both recently came under fire for allowing rings decorated with the Nazi swastika symbol to be posted for sale on their third-party seller sites. While both retailers quickly pulled the items down and issued public apologies, they received a large amount of negative publicity and surely damaged their brand image with many offended customers, perhaps to the point of permanently losing some of them.
Webinar: Learn how Dunkin’ Brands turns big data into a big advantage
RH opens 40,000-sq.-ft. store in West Hollywood, Calif.

Corte Madera, Calif. -- RH (Restoration Hardware Holdings) announced today the opening of its store, RH The Gallery, in West Hollywood, Calif. With nearly 40,000 total interior and exterior square feet, the space features artistic abstractions and never-seen-before collections of home furnishings in a gallery setting.
Digital Social Retail launches convergence platform for retail

Paris, France -- Digital Social Retail, a division of digital marketing agency Holosfind, is launching a digital convergence platform for the retail industry, integrating innovative technology and centralized management, for real-time streaming of audio and video content and personalized geolocation messaging. After 18 months of development and the signing of a joint venture for the acquisition of technology with the Israeli company Media TV, Digital Social Retail has introduced the Social Retail convergence platform.
Pine Tree Commercial Realty acquires South Pasadena Shopping Center

Tampa, Fla. -- Northbrook, Illinois-based Pine Tree Commercial Realty, LLC announced that it has acquired South Pasadena Shopping Center, a grocery-anchored community shopping center located in South Pasadena (Tampa), Florida, for $21.1 million. The recent acquisition is Pine Tree’s 73rd and brings the company’s current portfolio to 3.5 million sq. ft. in 15 states.
The Kroger Co. cited for hiring people with disabilities

Cincinnati -- The Kroger Co. was named Employer of the Year by the Ohio Governor's Council on People with Disabilities for significantly contributing to employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Kroger was nominated for this recognition by the Warren County Board of Developmental Disabilities. The company received the award at a ceremony at the Ohio Statehouse on Oct. 16.
Ron Johnson launching start-up that helps online shoppers choose products

New York -- The cat is finally out of the bag. Former J.C. Penney CEO and Apple retail head Ron Johnson confirmed that he is launching a new company—but it’s not a tech-gadget delivery service as was widely rumored. Instead, the new initiative, set to launch in 2015, is designed to help online hoppers make the right product choices.