Corporate Governance

New York -- Twitter has hired J.J. Hirschle, who directed media and entertainment advertising at Google, as its head of retail, according to various media reports. The hire comes as the online messaging giants works to expand its business ahead of its initial public offering. Hirschle will be responsible for the team selling advertising products to retail companies.

Hirschle is to start on Oct. 28, the same day Twitter is expected to launch its investor roadshow. Twitter announced at the beginning of October that it plans to go public.

New York -- Walmart brought together 10 moms in Nashville, Tenn., on Wednesday night to air their thoughts about the economy , the federal government and their own household incomes. The gathering — one of several that occurred in different locations throughout the nation — was part on an annual focus group organized by the chain, reported CNNMoney. This year, the discussion focused on a subject very much in the headlines: budgets.

Mooresville, N.C. -- Lowe's has launched a dedicated fleet of natural gas-powered trucks at its regional distribution center in Mount Vernon, Texas. The fleet is among the first serving a major retail distribution center in North America to run solely on natural gas.

With the transition from a diesel-fueled fleet to trucks powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), Lowe's expects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions nearly 20%  and control fuel costs as it transports up to 68 truckloads each day to stores in Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma.

Atlanta -- RadioShack and Citi Retail Services announced a long-term agreement to extend their 28-year consumer credit relationship. Under the agreement, Citi will continue to provide service-enhancing solutions and analytics in support of RadioShack’s targets for growth. RadioShack customers will continue to enjoy comprehensive financing programs and top-tier customer service.

New York -- The Howard Hughes Corp. on Thursday officially broke ground on the redevelopment of Manhattan’s South Street Seaport, with a ceremony at Pier 17.

The redeveloped Pier 17 is expected to open in 2016, with a mix of retail, dining and entertainment options highlighted by a one and a half-acre rooftop that will include a restaurant, two outdoor bars and an amphitheater that will hold up to 4,000 people for concerts and special events.

Los Angeles -- Construction has begun on Nadel Architects-designed Juanita Tate Marketplace, a 77,096-sq.-ft. outdoor retail center in South Los Angeles. Owned by Regency Centers, the $21 million development will bring a full-service grocery and retail center to the highly underserved surrounding community.

The center is being designed by Nadel Architects.

Family is all about loyalty, and as a family-owned business, 301-store, Charlotte, N.C.-based Belk, Inc. makes an effort to maintain and reward loyalty from its customers. So when Belk reached its 125th anniversary this year, the retailer decided to launch a campaign that would reward loyal shoppers while also boosting its presence in channels such as mobile and social.

Prized customer engagement

Minneapolis – Supervalu Inc. beat Wall Street estimates with second quarter fiscal 2014 net earnings of $40 million, compared to a $111 million loss in the year-ago period.

The supermarket operator reported net sales of $3.95 billion, up 0.2% from $3.94 billion last year.

Same-store sales results varied by banner. Same-store sales in the Save-A-Lot network were negative 0.3, while same-store sales for corporate stores within the Save-A-Lot network were positive 4.6% and were negative 0.9% in the Retail Food segment.

Salt Lake City – Overstock.com reported year-over-year gains in net income and revenue during the third quarter of fiscal 2013, which the company partially attributed to growing participation in its Club O paid loyalty program.

Net income increased 31% from $2.7 million to $3.5 million, while revenue grew 18% from $255.4 million to $301.4 million. The growth in net revenue was primarily due to a 16% increase in average order size, from $147 in third quarter 2012 to $170 in third quarter 2013, coupled with a 2% increase in orders.

Washington, D.C. – Matthew Shay, president and CEO of the National Retail Federation released a statement on the decision to reopen the federal government through Jan. 15 and raise the debt ceiling until Feb. 7. Shay said that while the agreement provides some satisfaction, it essentially continues debate and postpones difficult economic decisions that must be made.