Corporate Governance

Seattle – Starbucks Corporation has reportedly applied to trademark the term “Fizzio.” According to the Associated Press, the trademark would cover beverage-making machines as well as beverages, including soft drinks.

A Starbucks spokesperson is quoted as saying the filing with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is related to tests of flavored sodas and other carbonated beverages in the Austin, Texas, and Atlanta markets the retailer has been running since June, which so far have been successful.

Rockaway, N.J. — iParty's 28 stores in Massachusetts have officially transitioned to the Party City brand name and will offer a larger selection of party supplies, decorations and costumes. The retailer says it timed the transition for the upcoming Halloween holiday.

Tewksbury, Mass. – DeMoulas Supermarkets Inc., operator of the Market Basket supermarket chain, has reportedly been allowed by a judge in Suffolk Superior Court in Massachusetts to continue making a $300 million payout to shareholders.

According to the Boston Globe, Judge Judith Fabricant denied a motion by Arthur T. DeMoulas, president of DeMoulas Supermarkets, to stop the payout, which had been approved by a majority of the company’s board of directors. All nine shareholders receiving the payout are members of the DeMoulas family.

Boston – A new headquarters complex athletic shoe manufacturer New Balance is constructing in the Brighton section of Boston will reportedly include 65,000 sq. ft. of retail space.

According to the Boston Business Journal, ground has been broken on the $500 million, 1.45 million-sq.-ft. site. In addition to New Balance corporate headquarters and retail space, the site will also include an athletic complex, NHL-regulation hockey arena, a hotel, office space, 1,750 parking spaces and its own commuter rail stop.

Union, N.J. – Bed, Bath & Beyond, Inc. reported year-over-year increases in net income, net sales and same-store sales during the second quarter of fiscal 2013. Net income grew about 18%, to $249.3 million from $224.3 million.

New York -- Governor Jerry Brown of California on Wednesday signed a bill approving a $2 hike in the state’s minimum wage, with the increase to be rolled out during the next three years. The increase will make California's minimum wage the highest in the country.

The wage increase will go into effect in two separate $1 increments, going from the current minimum of $8 to $9 on July 1, 2014, and then to $10, on January 1, 2016.

eBay is in the process of acquiring Braintree, an innovative global payment platform powering online and mobile-first startups, for approximately $800 million in cash.

Tractor Supply Co. has opened its first Nevada store as part of its expansion strategy into the Western region of the country.

The new store is in Carson City on East William Street. After a soft opening earlier this month, grand opening celebrations commence Sep. 28.

Southeastern Grocers, parent company of Bi-Lo and Winn-Dixie supermarkets, has filed a registration statement on a proposed initial public offering.  

The shares are expected to be offered by Southeastern Grocers, and the number of shares to be offered and the price range for the offering have not yet been determined.

Citigroup, Credit Suisse and Deutsche Bank Securities will act as representatives of the underwriters for the offering, and, together with William Blair and Wells Fargo Securities, will act as joint book-running managers for the offering. 

J.C. Penney is looking to raise $750 million to $1 billion in cash equity. According to Reuters, J.C. Penney, which is valued at $2.6 billion, is considering issuing new stock shares as well as other unspecified alternatives.