Corporate Governance

BEAVERTON, Ore. — Nike announced a strategic partnership with Swiss company Bluesign Technologies to accelerate the supply of more sustainable materials and chemistries for use in Nike products.

BOUCHERVILLE, Quebec — Canadian hardware retailer, Rona, has named Robert Sawyer president and CEO, effective in April 2013.

Sawyer has more than 30 years of experience in a major Canadian food company and specializes in retail operations and distribution to dealers operating under different banners. Under his prior employer he held various executive positions and helped improve the profitability in several different areas. 

Walgreens reported a better-than-expected profit on flat sales for its second quarter Tuesday morning and unveiled an expanded partnership with AmerisourceBergen that could give the pharmacy operator an equity position and seat on the drug wholesaler’s board.

NEW YORK — Online retailer NoMoreRack has announced its plans to expand their business and online presence. NoMoreRack has received $12 million in new capital. They plan to use this investment money to increase their workforce and expand into foreign markets.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Meijer has expanded its program that supports Michigan small businesses to feature 55 new Michigan-made grocery products in all its stores statewide, Meijer co-chairman Doug Meijer announced Tuesday.

HUDSON, Ohio — Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores announced that in 2012 the company’s year-end corporate giving total surpassed $5 million for the first time in the retailer’s history.

ST. PAUL, Minn. — 3M has introduced a new line of Post-It brand products designed for today's mobile workers and busy families.

The new Post-it Mobile Collection features a variety of compact and durable products specially designed to stick, insert and clip to the everyday items you carry. The Attach and Go Products work together, allowing you to customize a portable organization system that helps you Do More, Your Way.

DAYTON, Ohio — Interbrand, a consultancy, has named Walmart the most valuable retail brand for 2013. The retailer retained its top spot from 2012.

Rising through the ranks were Macy's, which increased brand value by 62% and moved up nine spots on the list to #40 and Amazon.com, which moved up to #4 on the list, growing brand value by 46%. 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Hostess Brands announced that it has selected United States Bakery's approximately $30.9 million offer as the winning bid for the company's Sweetheart, Eddy's, Standish Farms, and Grandma Emilie's bread brands, four bakeries, and 14 depots, plus certain equipment. 

The United States Bakery offer was selected as the highest and best bid at a March 15 auction. The company will ask the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York to approve the transaction at a hearing on April 9.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Anthea Jones has assumed the role of president at Bi-Lo. He will continue to serve as SVP operations. 

Jones comes to the position from the Bi-Lo side of the recent merger between regional supermarkets Bi-Lo and Winn-Dixie. He signed on with Bi-Lo in 1999 after 17 years at Food Lion. He also is the immediate past board chairman for the Global Market Development Center. 

Jones succeeds Michael Byars in the position. Randall Onstead continues as president and CEO of the combined company, Bi-Lo Holdings.