Corporate Governance

New York -- Target Corp. on Wednesday requested that customers no longer carry guns in its stores.

The retailer found itself embroiled in controversy when gun-rights activists in Texas and several other states chose Target stores to demonstrate their belief in the right to openly bear arms. In response, the chain came under heavy fire from groups such as "Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense" and others who expressed concern about firearms being carried into an environment where the shoppers are often accompanied by children.

The International Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association has a new chairman and four new board members.

Ohio State University assistant vp for business advancement Rick Van Brimmer was elected chairman of the trade group, filling a position that was held the past two year by Maura Regan with Sesame Workshop. Other key moves saw LIMA board member James Slifer with The Joester Loria Group named vice chairman and Pete Yoder of Cartoon Network elected to the executive committee as a liaison to the board.

Milwaukee – Roundy’s Supermarkets Inc. is closing its distribution center in Stevens Point, Minnesota. The closure, expected to take place by Sept. 30, will eliminate 196 jobs.

Minneapolis – The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is reportedly investigating whether Target Corp. adequately protected its data and informed shareholders about the possible consequences relating to its fall 2013 data breach, according to Bloomberg. The report said that Target is one of several public companies that suffered a data breach which is being investigated by the SEC.

Overstock.com is offering free Club O loyalty program memberships to active police officers, full-time firefighters, paramedics and certified emergency medical technicians.

Dublin, Calif. — dd’s DISCOUNTS, a division of Ross Stores, will open a new store in downtown Portland on June 28^th in a former Ross Dress for Less location. Counting the new location, dd’s DISCONTS will operate over 140 locations in 13 states. The retailer is on schedule to open approximately 20 locations in 2014.

As a result of its definitive agreement to acquire CytoSport Holdings, maker of Muscle Milk products, Hormel Foods has promoted three of its executives to leadership roles with CytoSport, based in Benicia, California.

NEW YORK — Hornig Capital Partners, a privately held New York City-based investment company, has combined in a joint venture with Hutensky Capital Partners of Hartford, Conn. to acquire the Golden Gate Shopping Center in Mayfield Heights, Ohio, in the greater Cleveland region. The joint venture purchased the property from Forest City Enterprises for $47,050,000, together with B&D Holdings, making it one of the largest single asset retail deals in the region during the past 24 months.