Corporate Governance

Oak Park, Ill. - McDonald's Corporation reported a 1.2% increase in global same-store sales during January 2014. That includes a decrease of 3.3% in U.S. same-store sales amid what McDonald’s called broad-based challenges including severe winter weather.  

Pittsburgh – Same-store sales at Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc. rose 6% during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, unshifted for the 53rd week in fiscal 2012. The same-store sales results compare to guidance provided in November 2013 for a 2% to 3% increase on an unshifted basis.

Plano, Texas – Rent-A-Center has opened its newest locations in Panorama City, Calif., and Corinth, Miss. Rent-A-Center operates 162 stores in California and 37 stores in Mississippi.

The retailer also operates more than 3,000 stores in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Canada and Mexico. It employs more than 21,000 workers.

Los Angeles – A store called “Dumb Starbucks,” with no affiliation with the actual Starbucks chain, has reportedly opened in Los Angeles. According to the Wall Street Journal, the store opened, offering free coffee, on Saturday, Feb. 8.

Charlotte, N.C. - Belk has partnered with HelloWorld, Inc. (formerly ePrize) to create a campaign that allows consumers to submit a photo and brief description of a couple's love story for a chance to win a $20,000 event, like a wedding, and a private concert with singer Edwin McCain.

Reading, Pa. – Regional supermarket chain Redner's Markets has deployed Retail 20/20 to reduce shrink and improve in-store operations. The solution will also be utilized to provide visibility into daily store processes to increase efficiency and reduce fraud.

Leiden, Netherlands – Ikea Group reported progress in its “People and Planet Positive” sustainability strategy during fiscal year 2013. Highlights include:

• Sold 22.4 million LED products, including 12.3 million LED bulbs.

• Ikea Group has committed to own 137 wind turbines and installed 550,000 solar panels, taking the company closer to producing more renewable energy than the total energy it uses by 2020.

Salt Lake City – Overstock.com has promoted one executive to the position of senior VP, general counsel and also promoted four other executives to VP positions. The company named VP and general counsel Mark Griffin to the position of senior VP and general counsel, and promoted four other executives to VP.

Overstock.com SVP Stephen Tryon has resigned from his position to pursue interests related to his book, "Accountability Citizenship."

Supervalu plans to host its first-ever national sales expo, Sales 4 All Seasons, this summer.