Corporate Governance

Redmond, Wash. – Microsoft Corp. is reportedly negotiating to open a new store on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. According to the New York Daily News, the site is only a few blocks from Apple’s large “glass cube” store in New York.

Corpus Christi, Texas – Susser Holdings Corp. reported net income of $12.3 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2014, compared to a net loss of $4.3 million in the same quarter a year earlier. The elimination of a debt refinancing charge helped bring Susser back to profitability.

Susser plans to open 17 new Stripes convenience stores by the end of the year. The company also is is on track to merge with Dallas-based natural gas and propane company Energy Transfer Partners (ETP) in the third quarter of fiscal 2014.

Columbus, Ohio -- DSW’s Affiliated Business Group division and Yellow Box Corporation have opened the first-ever Yellow Box Footwear store in California, at the Westfield Topanga Mall, in Canoga Park.

Founded in 1998, Yellow Box is a footwear wholesaler best known for its jeweled sandals for women. The Yellow Box retail concept made its debut in June, with a store in Miami.

Phoenix – Sprouts Farmers Market Inc. reported net income of $30.2 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2014, more than double the $12.5 million profit reported in the same quarter a year earlier. The elimination of pre-tax loss on extinguishment of debt of $8.2 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2013 helped boost Sprouts’ net income.

New York - Fairway Group Holdings Corp., the parent company of Fairway Market, shrank its net loss to $9.7 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2015 compared to $27.95 million in the same quarter the prior year. Declining general and administrative expenses, resulting from the elimination of IPO- and consultant-related fees from the first quarter of fiscal 2014, helped reduce net loss.

New York - Following a strong economic pick-up in fourth quarter 2013, values for both imports and exports fell during first quarter 2014, compared to the previous quarter. According to a new report from supply chain research firm Panjiva, imports dropped 5.42% and exports 3.84% from fourth quarter 2013, though activity in March fared better than in January and February.
 
Some of the report highlights include:

Los Angeles – American Apparel has relocated its Aix-en-Provence store in France. Set in a former private hotel, the new location features an open, single floor layout and flower garden.

The shop maintains much of the building's early architecture including stone walls, a fireplace (transformed into a shoe display) and double front doors depicting the city's emblem of two lion faces. With history dating back to the 16th century, it marks the company's oldest interior in Europe.    

Salt Lake City - Overstock.com is offering a private label credit card issued through Comenity Capital Bank. To pay using the Overstock.com store card, shoppers select that option when checking out.

They are then prompted to submit a brief application, after which approval is confirmed within seconds. The card number is stored in conjunction with the customer's Overstock.com account, though the customer also receives a physical card.

Goleta, Calif. – The corporate headquarters of Deckers Outdoor Corp. Company's corporate headquarters has achieved LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). LEED Certification is awarded for buildings that are energy efficient and environmentally sustainable in design and operation.

New York – Kenneth Cole Productions Inc. is launching an omnichannel marketing campaign to support specific charitable projects under three company pillars – Collective Health, Civil Liberties, and Artistic Activism. The advertising campaign will be supported by a national print, outdoor, digital, and social media plan.