Corporate Governance

The proliferation of gift cards has spawned the creation of unique app that can help retailers unlock the value of unspent gift cards.

Whole Foods Market made a $46,784 donation to Solid Ground, a Seattle-based organization with a mission to build a community to end poverty. Throughout 2013, shoppers who visited any of the six Seattle-area Whole Foods Market stores had an opportunity to participate in the Bag Hunger program, with a cash donation to Solid Ground at the checkout registers.

Stein Mart’s board of directors has appointed D. Hunt Hawkins and Brian R. Morrow to share the newly created office of the president. Both men will continue to report to CEO Jay Stein.

"Hunt and Brian have made significant contributions in the success of the company," said Stein. "Their promotions are a testament to their leadership that has built a team that has produced seven consecutive quarters of comp store gains, a dramatic departure from the achievements of past management, and reflect the confidence the board and I have in them."

Goal Zero, innovator of portable solar power systems, has appointed former REI SVP of merchandising Lee Fromson to president and COO.

The company has also made strategic changes to its executive team, with current president and CEO Joe Atkin assuming the role of co-chairman of the board, and founder and chief creative officer Robert Workman becoming CEO.

Petco has named Larry Rutkowski as EVP and CFO.

"Larry is a highly accomplished executive with a proven track record of successful financial leadership for both public and privately-held companies," said CEO Jim Myers. "His unique skillset and experience in a diverse array of industries will serve us well as we continue to advance Petco's leadership position in pet specialty. We're thrilled to add Larry to our executive team."

Eastman Kodak Company has named Eric-Yves Mahe as SVP and director of sales strategy and operations. The board of directors also has elected Mahe a corporate officer of Kodak, making him a member of the company’s executive council.

In this newly created role, Mahe will be responsible for formulating a strategy to drive and measure sales of Kodak’s portfolio of hardware, consumables, software and services. Mahe also will advise Kodak’s senior management team on software, OEM partnerships and the sale of complex solutions.

The Estée Lauder Companies have named Christopher C. Giglio as VP, corporate global communications. He will report to Alexandra C. Trower, EVP, global communications.

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has elected new officers, one new executive committee member and three new board of directors members for the coming year during its annual meeting this weekend.

John Standley, chairman and CEO of Rite Aid, was elected as the new NACDS chairman of the board of directors. Standley succeeds Robert Narveson, president and CEO of Thrifty White Pharmacy. Additionally, Juan Ortiz, CEO Navarro Discount Pharmacies, was named vice chairman and Randall Edeker, chairman and CEO Hy-Vee, was elected treasurer.

Overstock.com is now offering insurance for vehicle, residential and small businesses on its online shopping site.  

New York – Aeropostale has filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against rival specialty apparel retailer H&M. The suit, filed in federal court in Manhattan, alleges that H&M used the phrase “Live Love Dream,” trademarked by Aeropostale, on apparel and accessory items.

Aeropostale says it notified H&M of the infringement, but H&M did not cease using the trademarked phrase. H&M has not publicly responded to the suit yet.