Corporate Governance

ARLINGTON, Va. — Consumers are growing more confident in technology and plan on spending more in this area, according to the latest CEA Index released today by the Consumer Electronics Association. The CEA Index also showed that consumer confidence in the overall economy improved this month.

CHICAGO — Beverage maker Phusion Projects has named Grammy Award winning musician T-Pain as a partner in the Moskato Life brand.

New York -- A holiday preview report released Tuesday by the International Council of Shopping Centers said that sales are forecasted to rise 3% during the traditional November-December 2012 holiday period.

Additionally, ICSC said it anticipates that the other two measures of U.S. industry holiday sales – shopping-center sales and GAFO-store sales – will increase slightly as well.  

New York -- The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index, which had declined in August, improved in September to 70.3 -- up from 61.3 in August.

The Expectations Index increased to 83.7 from 71.1. The Present Situation Index rose to 50.2 from 46.5 last month.
 

Little Rock, Ark. -- Shelf-edge communications and marketing services provider Vestcom said Tuesday that regional supermarket chain Belle Foods has expanded its existing partnership with Vestcom to promote a customized nutrition program based on the grocer’s health and wellness goals.

Foothill Ranch, Calif. -- On the heels of activist investor The Clinton Group’s announced plans to replace some of Wet Seal’s board members, the retailer is advising its shareholders against supporting the move.

Los Angeles -- CBRE Group on Tuesday announced the launch of the Real Green Research Challenge, a four-year, $1 million commitment to fund leading-edge sustainability research and innovation relating to commercial real estate.

CBRE said it is accepting submissions for research proposals, with the goal of developing solutions to the industry’s critical environmental challenges.

New York -- Ann Inc. announced Tuesday at the Clinton Global Initiative that it will expand on its Vital Voices initiative with a program it is calling “Commitment to Action.”

The parent company of Ann Taylor and Loft piloted its ANNpower Vital Voices Initiative in 2011 as a groundbreaking partnership with international NGO, Vital Voices Global Partnership. The effort aims to train and empower young women in the U.S. to create positive social change in their local communities and become the next generation of leaders.

Austin, Texas -- Whole Foods Market said Tuesday it has received a 2012 Green Power Leadership Award for sustained excellence from the Environmental Protection Agency for its renewable energy purchase of 800 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) last year.  

The annual award recognizes leading green power purchasers for their commitment and contribution to helping advance the development of the nation's voluntary green power market.