Corporate Governance

Michael Manos has joined payments security provider First Data as chief technology officer after holding a similar role at AOL.

In his new role, Manos will be responsible for First Data's global technology infrastructure and reports to company president Guy Chiarello.

Barnes & Noble named Tulane University president Scott Cowen to its board a after a major shareholder disclosed it was dumping 90% of its stake in the company and relinquishing a seat on the board of directors.

Cowen serves as president of Tulane University in New Orleans and also holds the titles of Seymour S. Goodman Memorial Professor of Business in Tulane’s A.B. Freeman School of Business and Professor of Economics in the School of Liberal Arts.

There were a lot of developments in the world of data security last week with a judge agreeing to consolidate lawsuits related to the Target data breach in a Minnesota court, more hearings in Washington, D.C. and troubling research about consumers sharing personal data on public Wi-Fi.

The shift toward electronic payments has had the unintended consequence of hindering shoppers’ ability to donate to charitable causes at the point of sale, but not anymore.

Third party logistics provider XPO Logistics completed its acquisition of Pacer International making it the largest provider of cross-border intermodal services with Mexico.

Thorofare, N.J. -- Family Dollar is rolling out electronic article surveillance (EAS) loss prevention technology from Checkpoint Systems across the retailer's more than 8,000 stores nationwide. It is one of the fastest roll-outs in the industry, with 3,500 installations already completed and deployments in 120 more stores each week, according to Checkpoint.

Houston -- Mattress Firm Holding Corp. announced it has completed its acquisition of the outstanding partnership interests in Sleep Experts Partners.

With the acquisition, Mattress Firm expects to operate an additional 55 stores in the Dallas and Austin markets, two of Mattress Firm’s core markets.

Mattress Firm operates 1,400 stores across 33 states.

Framingham, Mass. -- Staples is letting the public help determine the top three winners of its “Make Your Idea Happen” contest, which allowed entrepreneurs to share their ideas for a chance to receive all the products they need to bring their business to life. The retailer received more than 16,000 entries online and via Facebook.

The contest was announced in early January, and entrants were asked to submit a 100 word or less overview of their idea. Staples narrowed the submissions down to 10 finalists.

York, Pa. -- The Bon-Ton Stores plans to open a 27,000-sq.-ft. Herberger’s Clearance Center in Maplewood, Minn. The store is scheduled to open May 2014.

“We are pleased to announce the opening of our fourth free-standing clearance center,” said Brendan Hoffman, president and CEO.

Bon-Ton Stores operates 270 department stores in 25 states in the Northeast, Midwest and upper Great Plains under the Bon-Ton, Bergner’s, Boston Store, Carson’s, Elder-Beerman, Herberger’s and Younkers nameplates.

New York -- Modell’s Sporting Goods will open a store in midtown Manhattan, near Madison Square Garden, on April 4.

The store is the retailer’s 156th location.