Corporate Governance

Little Rock, Ark. – Dillard’s Inc. reported net income of $34.5 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2014, down 5% from $36.5 million the same period the prior year. Increased markdowns and the loss of after-tax credits and gains drove the decline in net income.

The Estée Lauder Companies achieved record net sales and reported overall strong financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended June 30.

For the year, the company achieved record net sales of $10.97 billion, an 8% increase compared with $10.18 billion in the prior year. Even excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, net sales still increased 8%.

New York -- Following Starbucks Corp.’s announcement that it would change its scheduling rules to prevent employees from having to work an opening shift after a closing shift the previous evening, some workers have expressed skepticism that the changes would be universally enforced.

Despite an increase of 1% in comparable store sales, Dillard’s CEO William T. Dillard II expressed disappointment in the company’s bottom line performance.

The company’s net sales for the 13 weeks ended Aug. 2 were $1.475 billion, compared to net sales of $1.480 billion for the 13 weeks ended Aug. 3, 2013. Net sales include the operations of the company’s construction business, CDI Contractors.

Oak Brook, Ill. - Hub Group, a provider of intermodal, truck brokerage and logistics services, has received the 2014 Partners in Transformation Award from Sears Holdings.

Sears Holdings' Partners in Transformation Award is presented to supplier companies that excel in supporting Sears Holdings through innovation around integrated retail and the Shop Your Way program. Less than one half of 1% of more than 30,000 suppliers that work with Sears Holdings received this award.

Dr Pepper Snapple Group met or exceeded several of its corporate social responsibility goals over the past year, according to the 2014 report the company released Friday.
 
One of the goals it reports meeting was reducing its use of PET, a polymer used in beverage bottles. DPS conserved about 60.7 million pounds since 2007 by redesigning packaging and upgrading almost 70,000 older-model coolers and vending machines.

Seattle – Starbucks Corp. is reportedly changing its scheduling rules to prevent employees from having to work an opening shift after a closing shift the previous evening. According to Bloomberg, Starbucks is altering its scheduling policy following a report in the New York Times about a Starbucks barista who had difficulty managing her schedule with her childcare needs.

BJ's Wholesale Club plans to partner with 215 schools through the organization's Adopt-A-School program. At the beginning of each school year, every BJ's Wholesale Club and Distribution Center partners with a local school to help enhance existing curriculum.