Corporate Governance

MINNEAPOLIS — Target Corp. will renovate libraries at more than two dozen schools in need across the country this year under a program that will also include book donations and technology upgrades, as well as the option to have a Target-supported food pantry built, the mass merchandise retailer said Wednesday.

NEW YORK — The Jones Group Inc. plans to close 170 under-performing stores in the U.S. by mid-2014 as part of its efforts to shore up profitability.

The stores identified for closure include 50 units previously announced in the fourth quarter.

Jones, which owns the Nine West, Jones New York and Anne Klein banners among others, will emerge from the restructuring with a higher percentage of outlet stores in its portfolio, and some units will be converted to more viable sister banners.

EMERYVILLE, Calif. — Clif Bar & Company has promoted president and COO Kevin Cleary to CEO. In his new role, Cleary will focus on expanding Clif Bar’s growth in the sports nutrition and healthy snacks category while continuing to lead the company’s day-to-day business operations. 

Owners Gary Erickson and Kit Crawford will continue as co-chairs of Clif Bar & Company’s board of directors and become co-chief visionary officers guiding the company’s Five Aspirations business model.

Craftsman and Harley-Davidson have teamed up to produce co-branded, special-edition tool storage products available now in Sears stores and online.

As part of the partnership, Craftsman — the tool brand owned by Sears Holdings — has been named the official hand and power tool sponsor of the Harley-Davidson 110th Anniversary Celebration. 

SECAUCUS, N.J. — Children's Place CFO Michael Scarpa has added COO to his credentials. Scarpa, who oversees finance, information technology, distribution, logistics and wholesale, will add store operations, store development and international to his responsibilities. Scarpa will continue to report to president and CEO Jane Elfers.

CINCINNATI — Procter & Gamble third-quarter sales for 2013 rose 2% as net earnings per share rose 7%.

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Family Dollar is utilizing TAS Unity, a browser-based enterprise market knowledge system designed to aid retail real estate management from Trade Area Systems.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — AutoZone recognized Spectra Premium Industries as its Vendor of the Year during the company's annual AutoZone Vendor Summit held in Tunica, Miss.

"Spectra has been a strong AutoZone supplier for more than five years. During that time they have collaborated with us to grow sales and improve productivity in the categories they supply us," said Bill Rhodes, chairman, president and CEO of AutoZone.

SAINT PAUL, Minn. — Land O'Lakes has named Autumn Veazey as its director of government relations and Daryn McBeth as its director of state affairs and industry relations.

The Senate has voted unanimously to confirm former Walmart Foundation President Sylvia Mathews Burwell as White House budget director, according to a Reuters report.

The report went on to state that the 96-0 vote marks the first time the White House has had a fully confirmed budget director since January 2012, when Jack Lew, now Treasury Secretary, left the position to become Obama's chief of staff.