Corporate Governance

Retail licensing group Sequential Brands, whose brands include Jessica Simpson, Ellen Tracy and Avia, is buying Martha Stewart's lifestyle collection, although the domestic diva will maintain creative control over product.

Columbus, Ohio -- Big Lots is diversifying its multicultural outreach. The off-price retailer announced the launch of Big Lots Latino, a new Spanish language information hub for Hispanic customers. The site provides culturally relevant information including tips and ideas on home decor, beauty & health, food & recipes, and crafts.

A notable shift is underway at crowdsourced grocery delivery company Instacart where an evolving business model means some independent contractor workers have gained part-time employee status.

After experimenting with converting independent contractors to part-time employees in Boston, the company also has made the shift in Chicago. Other cities are expected to follow given what Instacart says is a favorable impact on customer service and business results.

Canton, Mass. - Dunkin' Donuts has opened its newest hotel location at the Great Wolf Lodge in Sandusky, Ohio, making it the fifth restaurant to open under a franchising agreement between Dunkin' Donuts and Great Wolf Resorts. Dunkin' Donuts has existing restaurants at Great Wolf Lodge in Concord, North Carolina; Williamsburg, Virginia; Traverse City, Michigan; and Fitchburg, Massachusetts.

San Francisco - Instacart, is giving some contract workers the opportunity to become part-time employees. After a successful pilot Boston, the company is now giving its personal shoppers in some cities the option to convert from contractor to employee status.

Men's Wearhouse is inspiring a future generation of men to shop its stores with its eighth annual National Suit Drive.

The six-week initiative collects donations of gently-used professional attire for unemployed Americans. The clothing will be distributed to over 180 local non-profit organizations that provide job-ready skills, training and seminars to disadvantaged men and women entering or re-entering the workforce. As part of this year's National Suit Drive, Men's Wearhouse is issuing a challenge to consumers to meet or exceed the goal of 250,000 donated items.

Last week, my retail technology-related travels took me closer to home than usual – to Boston, the city where I was born and still live within a reasonable drive. I visited the old homestead to attend the official opening of the CVS Health’s new Digital Innovation Lab. CVS officials did a fine job explaining the mission of the lab and giving the audience a sneak peek at some of their work.

Big Lots is targeting Hispanic shoppers with a new Spanish language information hub for Latino customers. 

Big Lots Latino, which provides culturally relevant information including tips and ideas on home decor, beauty & health, food & recipes, and crafts, is just one additional way the company is diversifying its multicultural outreach to this rapidly growing segment of the U.S. population