Corporate Governance

Best Buy is looking to drive growth through innovation by opening a new technology center in the Seattle area this spring.

The company joins a growing array of retailers, including Staples and Sears, that have been opening or expanding offices in Seattle in order to tap into the city’s wealth of tech talent.

Chicago -- Skincare products retailer H2O+ announced the appointment of Joy Chen as the company's new president and CEO.

Chen most recently served as the CEO of YES TO Inc. where she managed the YES TO skin and bodycare portfolio’s expansion of North America and International distribution. She brings over 20 years of industry experience and a proven track record of driving sales and profit growth, in demanding, complex turnaround situations.

San Francisco – A labor dispute that had reduced the 29 West Coast ports, which handle close to half the consumer cargo in the U.S. down to 50%-60% capacity appears to be over. Late in the evening of Friday, Feb. 20, the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) reached a tentative agreement on a new five-year contract covering workers at all 29 West Coast ports.
 

Jackson, Miss. – Fast-casual restaurant chain Newk's Eatery is expanding to Columbia, South Carolina, as part of growth plans that include nearly 30 new corporate and franchised stores in 2015. The Columbia expansion is in partnership with its newest franchisees, Chris and Pam Corn.

The Corns will open their first Newk's in City Market in the Vista in late 2015 and have plans to open two additional locations in Columbia and the surrounding area.

Bentonville, Ark. – In a reversal of corporate policy that did not offer workers paid sick leave until their second day of absence, Wal-Mart Store Inc. is reportedly now allowing employees to collect sick pay on their first day of not reporting to work due to illness. According to the Wall Street Journal, the change in policy is part of a larger effort to improve employee morale.

Footwear giant Wolverine World Wide's new outlet store format brings together an assortment of Wolverine's diverse brands in an environment that reflects the company's heritage and dedication to craftsmanship. The design, by Wolverine's consumer direct, store development team in partnership with the Carlson Group, marries a factory/warehouse­inspired material palette with clean, modern forms and a simple, but highly flexible merchandising system.

Amazon.com is looking to push farther into the category of high-end couture, according to a new report from Bloomberg.

The news service reports that Amazon has been embracing more profitable designer fashion by selling clothing, shoes, handbags, and accessories from pricey brands with luxe reputations.

Earlier this year it was announced that the Internet retailer will be a sponsor of New York Fashion Week this summer. Amazon reportedly also signed a multiyear deal this month to sponsor India Fashion Week, according to Women's Wear Daily.

Port Townsend, Wash. -- Intellicheck Mobilisa, a leader in ID verification and wireless technology, signed a contract with Helzberg Diamonds to implement ID Check throughout Helzberg’s 230 U.S. retail locations.

Helzberg Diamonds will utilize ID Check at the point-of-sale (POS) in its stores to analyze and authenticate driver’s licenses, with a goal of reducing the risk of fraudulent purchases.