Corporate Governance

ATLANTA — The Coca-Cola Company and Select Milk Producers have teamed up to acquire the newly created Fair Oaks Farms Brands, which owns and operates Core Power, a high protein milkshake.

With the Fair Oaks Farms Brands, the Coca-Cola Company and Select will expand an ever-growing portfolio of brands and products, which will now feature dairy.

Abuse of liberal return policies and enterprising thieves will cost the retail industry $8.9 billion this year, including $2.9 billion during the holidays alone.

The National Retail Federation arrived at those massive numbers after surveying loss prevention executives at 60 member companies who estimated that 4.6% returns made during the holidays are fraudulent.

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Former Belk executive Carl Scibetta has been named the new EVP and GMM at Shoe Carnival. Scibetta will report to Cliff Sifford, the former GMM, who was recently appointed president and CEO of the company.

Leading third party logistic provider Transplace has acquired Canada’s Torus Freight Systems.

Transplace, a leading provider of transportation management services and logistics technology, acquired for an undisclosed sum Torus Freight Systems, a Canadian-based logistics services company focused on Canadian cross-border and intra-Canada freight.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — Staples and LinkedIn have teamed up to launch SUCCEED: Small Business Network, an online forum for small business professionals.

New York -- Multiple reports on Tuesday revealed that private equity firm Leonard Green & Partners disclosed in a regulatory filing that it has upped its stake in shoe retailer DSW Inc. to 1.3 million shares – or 3% of the company.

The news sent DSW shares upward as much as 6% on Tuesday.

Leonard Green previously owned 981,196 shares in DSW before raising its stake. It was forced to disclose its new position after a request for confidential treatment expired on Nov. 28.

New York -- Applebee’s will open New York City’s first LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Gold certified restaurant on Monday, Dec. 10.

Richardson, Texas -- Chain restaurant Wingstop announced Tuesday it has executed a master development deal that will facilitate about 50 unit openings in Russia, the first opening in Moscow.

The chicken wing purveyor -- with more than 530 locations throughout the U.S. and Mexico -- signed a master development agreement with Baxtor Limited for 50 Wingstop restaurants to be opened throughout Russia over the next 10 years.

The first location is expected to open in Moscow by the end of 2013.

Stamford, Conn. -- Pitney Bowes Inc. said that leathergoods retailer Dooney & Bourke will use technology and shipping services from Pitney Bowes to help expand the global online reach of its handbags and accessories.

Dooney & Bourke will use Pitney Bowes’s e-commerce software and international shipping services to help offer a seamless and convenient cross-border purchasing and shipping experience to online shoppers to destinations in up to 90 countries worldwide.
 

Armonk, N.Y. -- IBM announced Tuesday the closing of its acquisition of Kenexa, a provider of recruiting and talent management solutions, for approximately $1.3 billion.

IBM said that Kenexa complements its strategy of bringing relevant data and expertise into the hands of business leaders within every functional department, from sales and marketing to product development and human resources.