Corporate Governance

Wayne, N.J. -- Toys “R” Us and specialty retailer Claire’s have entered into a global partnership to open nearly 100 Claire’s in-store shops in Toys “R” Us locations across Europe, along with 12 U.S. locations, by year-end. The shops will feature an assortment of jewelry, headbands, hair and fashion accessories, jewelry holders, legwear, seasonal items and more. The rollout follows a successful pilot program in Europe.  

Matthews, N.C. -- The heated battle for Family Dollar Stores rages on, with Family Dollar on Wednesday rejecting a $9.1 billion takeover bid from rival Dollar General and reaffirming its support of its deal with Dollar Tree. Family Dollar also urged shareholders not to tender their shares to the competing chain.

Overstock's Android app — which includes Google Wallet checkout, allowing shoppers to check out quickly with the press of a button, and alerts shoppers to daily flash sales — has earned the top ranking in the Google Play Store's Editors' Choice.

Shopko plans to unveil the results of a partial store remodeling project in all of its 133 Shopko stores Sept. 18.

The remodel includes the removal of the stores' large glass jewelry cabinets to make shopping in the jewelry department more convenient and accessible to consumers. Customers will no longer have to wait for a store associate to unlock and remove jewelry items, but will be able to easily see, touch and try on jewelry pieces.

Leading accessories retailer Claire’s plans to open 100 of its distinctive branded shops with thousands of products within Toys “R” Us stores worldwide by year end and alluded to the possibility of more locations to come.

PepsiCo’s top marketer and a former top Macy’s executive are the newest members of off-price retailer Burlington Stores board of directors.

The operator of more than 500 stores expanded its board to eight members with the addition of Frank Cooper III, chief marketing officer, global consumer engagement for PepsiCo’s global beverages group, and William “Mac” McNamara, former chairman and CEO of Macy’s Midwest division.

The Network of Executive Women (NEW) has confirmed retail executives from Walgreens, Home Depot, Family Dollar, Publix and Walmart as featured participants at the organization’s Leadership Summit this fall.

Regional food retailer Grocery Outlet has swapped one private equity owner for another as it looks to drive growth beyond its existing 210 store footprint in six Western states.

The company, which bills itself as an “extreme value” grocer, said it entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by affiliates of Hellman & Friedman LLC along with Grocery Outlet’s senior management team from its principal owner, Berkshire Partners LLC. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
 

New research from an organization called the Luxury Institute found that half the executives in a recent survey are spending at least 30% of their marketing budget on digital methods with an even larger percentage concerned it isn’t enough.

The opportunity to be discovered and appear in a national TV ad later this year are being used to entice Kohl’s shoppers to submit videos singing the hit song “Let it Go” from the Disney movie Frozen.

Kohl’s and Disney created the digital campaign called Sing Your Heart Out and are giving fans of the movie Frozen until September 29 to submit videos of themselves singing the song Let it Go for a chance to be included in a Kohls holiday commercial that will air during the 2014 American Music Awards.