Corporate Governance

BRISBANE, Calif. — Specialty apparel retailer,Bebe,has entered into a strategic global licensing agreement with Aldo to design, manufacture and distribute Bebe’s footwear.

The upcoming collection will include a full range of lifestyle categories including: sandals, closed-toe shoes, heels, flats, booties and boots, among other styles, with a median retail price of $129.00. The footwear collection will mirror bebe’s feminine aesthetic: playful, sexy, sophisticated, modern and on-trend.

EMERYVILLE, Calif. — LeapFrog Enterprises has partnered with Disney Publishing Worldwide to develop e-books for its children's tablets and game systems.

"Doc McStuffins: Rundown Racecar" and "Wreck It Ralph: Sugar Rush" were developed and produced by Disney Publishing Worldwide for LeapFrog and are available for purchase in the "Just for Fun" section of the LeapFrog App Center for the kid's learning tablets, LeapPad1 and LeapPad2, and learning video game systems, Leapster Explorer and LeapsterGS.

TORONTO — Canadian consumers eager to get their hands on a Target loyalty card can now apply for one. Target Canada announced that pplications for its REDcard products - the Target Debit Card and the Target RBC‡ MasterCard - are now available online at Target.ca/redcard. Guests planning to shop at Target stores in Canada with a REDcard will receive an additional 5% off Target's already low prices, applied instantly at the time of purchase.

PITTSBURGH — American Eagle Outfitters has agreed to a mutual termination of its license agreement in China, Hong Kong and surrounding markets with Dickson Concepts (International) Limited. Consistent with its long-term global expansion strategy and the importance of this market, the company took the opportunity to exit its agreement and will assume operation of six existing stores in China and Hong Kong.

ATLANTA — Predictix, a provider of merchandising and supply chain solutions for retailers, has named Bradley White as its new CFO. White is a proven financial executive and joins Predictix with more than 15 years’ experience in treasury, finance, accounting, public company reporting, employee management, strategic planning and tax compliance in diverse global businesses and industries.  This comes after the recent appointment of John Simon as Predictix’ new CEO.

CARLISLE, Pa. — Ahold has appointed the former head of one of its European supermarket chains to an executive position in its U.S. division.

Ahold USA said it appointed Jan van Dam as EVP supply chain and e-commerce, in which he will focus on supply chain for the company's four U.S. divisions, Stop & Shop in the New York area and New England, Giant-Landover and Giant-Carlisle. He will also be responsible for the company's e-commerce business with Andrew Parkinson, president and general manager of online grocery company Peapod, reporting to him.

ARLINGTON, Va. -- The passage of comprehensive tax reform and a more level playing field between online retailers and Main Street retailers for sales tax collection top the Retail Industry Leaders Association’s public policy priorities for 2013.

According to RILA, the retail industry pays among the highest domestic effective tax rates at 36.4% more than 10 percentage points higher than the average for all other industries.

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. — LG Electronics USA has launched what it claims is the industry's first top-load washer with steam technology certified "asthma and allergy friendly" by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). 

In addition, the new high-efficiency top-load washer is designed to deliver superior high-efficiency performance, offering uniquely gentle but deep cleaning capabilities, with the added benefit of odor reduction, the company said. 

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation has been outspoken in its criticism of credit card fees and now a group called the Electronic Payments Coalition that represents credit unions,banks and payment card networks is firing back, claiming that the retail lobby is making false statements regarding checkout fees.

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation has been outspoken in its criticism of credit card fees and now a group called the Electronic Payments Coalition that represents credit unions,banks and payment card networks is firing back, claiming that the retail lobby is making false statements regarding checkout fees.