Corporate Governance

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Lowe’s has named José Luis Pier Castelló as president/general director of Lowe’s Mexico, effective March 15. He replaces Francisco Fernandez, who has left the company. Pier Castelló will report to William Robinson, head of international operations and development.

CHICAGO — Morton Salt on Thursday introduced a new line of Natural Epsom salt products, marking its first foray into the health and beauty category.

"The Epsom salt category has seen sustained growth over the past few years, presenting an opportunity for Morton Salt to begin leveraging its ubiquitous brand equity with the health and beauty shopper," stated Carol Panozzo, VP consumer products sales and marketing at Morton Salt.

TORONTO, ONTARIO —  The Canadian arm of the United Food and Commercial Workers union has taken aim at Target for its alleged unfair treatment of former Zellers workers.

The union claims that Target, which is converting 189 Zellers stores, is not giving former employees a fair shake in the hiring process and that many have been turned down for employment without reason.

Deerfield, Ill. -- Walgreens announced plans to build what the company believes will be the nation’s first net-zero energy retail store. The store, which is predicted to produce energy equal to or greater than it consumes, will be located in Evanston, Ill., at the intersection of Chicago Avenue and Keeney Street, where demolition of an existing Walgreens store now is under way.

Arlington, Va. -- Sustainability teams in retail companies are growing, and reporting levels are gaining seniority, according to a new survey by the Retail Industry Leaders Association.

The report, RILA’s second Retail Sustainability Report, was done in sponsorship with Ernst & Young, The survey uncovered six significant trends, specifically that:

1. Sustainability teams are growing. Most companies surveyed have full-time sustainability teams. Teams are growing, and reporting levels are gaining seniority.

New York -- Gap Inc. said Thursday that its February same-store sales rose a better-than-expected 3% for the four weeks ended Feb. 25. Analysts expected a 2% increase.
   
The chain was due to release the sales figures after the market closed, but put them out at midday after they were found in a leaked transcript of prerecorded comments.

By division, same-store sales rose 2% at Gap and 6% at Old Navy. They fell 5% at Banana Republic.

Canton, Mass. -- Dunkin' Brands Group, parent company of Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins, announced that it has appointed three members of the company's senior management team to the role of president.
 
John Costello has been appointed president, global marketing & innovation, and he will continue to lead all global marketing, product development and channel businesses across both Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins.

Warrendale, Pa. -- rue21 announced that Stacy B. Siegal, the company's current VP, general counsel and corporate secretary, has been promoted to the additional position of chief administrative officer.

Siegal has served as the company's general counsel and corporate secretary since March 2010. In her expanded role, she will assume responsibility for human resources division while also retaining oversight of the company's legal matters, regulatory compliance and corporate communications.

Naples, Fla. -- Brixmor Property Group said that Big Lots will open a new store at Park Shore Shopping Center, located in Naples, Fla.

The 35,080-sq.-ft. store will open this year. Park Shore is owned and operated by Brixmor, based in New York City.

Dallas -- Cypress Equities said Wednesday that Sleep Experts has signed a lease to occupy the remaining portion of the company’s development that currently houses Freebirds World Burrito at the northeast corner of West Seventh Street and Foch Street in Fort Worth, Texas.

The 3,035-sq.-ft. store is expected to open in May and marks the third in Fort Worth.