Corporate Governance

LOS ANGELES — Mike Pollard, retired VP of Costco Wholesale, has joined the board of directors of Abbyson Living, which manufactures and imports living room, dining and bedroom furniture.

Pollard retired from Costco Wholesale in 2013 after a 27-year career. Abbyson Living will look to Pollard for his guidance regarding comprehensive business practices that will directly impact the company’s growth and further mature the value of the brand. 

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. — Dollar General is gearing up for a nationwide career fair to be held at 170 locations in 40 states Saturday, May 18. The event is part of the retailer's efforts to hire 10,000 new employees in May.

PHILADELPHIA — Teen discounter Five Below increased its first quarter profit forecast as sales for the period increased 33% to $95.6 million and same store sales advanced 4.2%.

NEW YORK — The Fourth of July fireworks extravaganza is not the only patriotic item on Macy’s all-American agenda. The retailer is launching its American Icons campaign, featuring American-inspired merchandise, Wednesday, May 15.  

The campaign includes launch parties, “pop up” drive-in movies, cross-country road trips, Major and Minor League baseball events, grilling competitions, sweepstakes and a fundraising program to benefit America’s veterans. 

CINCINNATI — Kroger has named Scott M. Henderson VP of pension investment and strategy and Todd A. Foley VP and treasurer.

Henderson currently serves as Kroger's VP and treasurer, a position he has held since 2003. He will lead a new team that is responsible for overseeing nearly $12 billion of assets.

CLEVELAND — Walmart has launched an exclusive line of nursing bras and related essentials catering to expectant and nursing mothers manufactured by Leading Lady, a Cleveland-based nursing bra and niche-intimate apparel company.

With the Loving Moments collection, Leading Lady aimed to fuse current fashion trends with nursing bra technology. The collection features stretch lace, supportive camis, sleep and leisure bras, as well as seamless everyday bras. 

FREMONT, Calif. — Men’s Wearhouse has launched a revamped version of its e-commerce site which features upgrades and personalized features that improve the overall online shopping experience, from browsing to buying.

NEW YORK — Olivier Goudet, partner and CEO of the Joh. A. Benckiser Group and former CFO of Mars Inc., has been appointed global beauty brand Coty’s board of directors. Goudet replaces Bernd Beetz, who stepped down from Coty's board to pursue other interests.  

JAB is a privately held group that owns and invests in premium brands; it is also Coty's majority shareholder.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart has announced plans to conduct in-depth safety inspections at every single factory in Bangladesh that produces goods for the retailer. The company says it aims to complete all reviews within six months and publicly release the names and inspection information on all 279 factories.  

Atlanta -- Aaron's has appointed Robert W. Kamerschen as the company’s senior VP and general counsel.

Kamerschen will be responsible for managing all legal and governmental affairs for Aaron's, including employment law, regulatory matters, intellectual property, litigation, vendor relationships, financings, acquisitions and other general legal matters. As general counsel, he will report directly to chairman, president and CEO Ronald W. Allen.