Corporate Governance

Ottawa, Ontario -- The Canadian government is reportedly seeking to boost penalties for retailers caught using “zapper” software that can delete or modify transactional data in electronic POS systems to illegally hide sales.

New York -- Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th plans to open a new store in Aventura, Fla., on Sept. 20.

The store will be located in Town Center Aventura developed in partnership with Turnberry Media and will be the third Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th location in Miami. The 28,000-sq.-ft. layout includes an open floor plan, moveable fixtures and bright lighting.

Indianapolis -- Hhgregg will open a new store in the Cincinnati area on Sept. 19. The new store, located at 5045 Glencrossing Way in the Western Hills section of Cincinnati, will replace the previous location at 5111 Glencrossing Way.

St. Petersburg, Fla. -- HSN has appointed Matthew Rubel, senior advisor with TPG Capital, to its board of directors.

Rubel previously served as chairman, president and CEO of Collective Brands, where he worked from 2005-2011. Before that, his executive roles included serving as president and CEO of Cole Haan from 1999 to 2005, as well as serving as executive VP of J. Crew Group and CEO of Popular Club Plan.

Toronto -- Hudson’s Bay Co. (HBC) has appointed Marigay McKee, chief merchant of Harrods, as the future president of Saks Fifth Avenue. The appointment follows the news that Saks chairman and CEO Stephen Sadove and president and chief merchant Ronald Frasch will leave the company once it is acquired by Hudson's Bay.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Holdings Corp. on Monday said it plans to obtain a senior secured term loan facility of up to $1 billion to help lower borrowings under its revolving credit facility.

The company said that the term loan would be issued under its existing credit agreement, which provides for a $3.28 billion revolving credit facility.

The term loan is expected to mature in June 2018.

Canton, Mass. -- Dunkin' Brands Group announced that David Starmer has joined Dunkin' Brands as VP - IT, store systems, and Paul Zaher has joined the company as VP - IT, marketing systems. Both will report directly to Jack Clare, senior VP and CIO for Dunkin' Brands.

Zaher joins Dunkin' Brands from Express, where he directed e-commerce and other marketing systems.  

Starmer joins Dunkin' Brands from Papa Murphy's International, where he directed in-store technology solutions.

Menomonee Falls, Wis. -- An increasing majority of Americans (63%) report they have had a particularly unpleasant experience in a public restroom due to the condition of the facilities, according to a new survey by Bradley Corp., manufacturer of commercial restroom furnishings. That’s up from 51% one year ago, according to the company's fifth annual national Healthy Hand Washing Survey.

Alpharetta, Ga. -- McAlister's Deli announced plans to develop 17 restaurants in Indiana, South Carolina, and Georgia as part of new multi-unit development agreements with two existing franchise groups.

"We are pleased that our existing franchisees are continuing to expand with McAlister's Deli," said McAlister's Deli president and CEO Frank Paci. "Their commitment to develop demonstrates their confidence in the brand's strength and its ability to provide franchisees with an attractive investment."

New York -- The Ontario Superior Court of Justice has approved Loblaw Cos.’ acquisition of Shoppers Drug Mart.

Completion of the arrangement remains conditional on compliance with the Competition Act and certain other closing conditions customary in transactions of this nature. The transaction is expected to be completed before the end of first quarter 2014.