Corporate Governance

OAK BROOK, Ill. — Ace Hardware Corp. has reported substantial growth and expansion in priority markets across the country.

“Our aggressive, long-term growth strategy features a total package of resources and support to ensure a successful future for our retailers,” said Mike Berschauer, director, retail development for Ace Hardware. “After a prosperous second quarter focused on store activations and conversions, Ace is on-track to achieve its goal of opening 170 new domestic stores in 2012.”
 

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens announced plans to close more than half of the stores it is acquiring in its deal with USA Drug.

The company — which said in July it would purchase the mid-South drug store chain for approximately $438 million — confirmed it would close approximately 76 stores across the region. USA Drug operates 144 stores under the USA Drug, Super D Drug, May's Drug, Med-X and Drug Warehouse banners.

New York -- Best Buy is moving about 2,000 loss-prevention employees in its U.S. locations to focus on selling, Bloomberg reported.  

Employees who greeted shoppers entering Best Buy  stores and checked receipts when they left will join the ranks of the company’s sales force, according to the report.

New Delhi, India -- India’s government said Thursday that it has OK’d plans to permit foreign retailers to open stores that sell more than one brand, paving the way for retailers such as Wal-Mart Stores and Carrefour SA to expand their presence in the country.

The approved plan calls for overseas companies to put half of their investment in infrastructure such as processing, manufacturing, storage, warehouses and packaging.

Deerfield, Ill. -- Walgreens announced plans to close more than half of the stores it is acquiring in its deal with USA Drug.

The company — which said in July it would purchase the mid-South drug store chain for approximately $438 million — confirmed it would close approximately 76 stores across the region. USA Drug operates 144 stores under the USA Drug, Super D Drug, May's Drug, Med-X and Drug Warehouse banners.

Dover, Del. -- A Friday report by the Associated Press said that Staples Inc. will pay $8.9 million to settle an abandoned property dispute with the state of Delaware.

A final payment is slated to be paid by Staples on Monday to settle the two-year-old suit that involved Delaware’s method of calculating liability for abandoned property. Staples argued that unclaimed customer rebates should not be considered abandoned property, but a judge disagreed.

Arlington, Va. -- The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) said Friday it is applauding the impending implementation of sales tax fairness in California, which stands to even the playing field between bricks-and-mortar retailers and online competitors.

Atlanta -- The Home Depot Inc. said Friday it will close its remaining seven big-box outlets in China and focus on Internet-based sales and specialty stores.

Plano, Texas -- J. C. Penney Company said that in conjunction with an open house tour of its new in-store shops, the company will webcast a question and answer session with its chief executive officer, Ron Johnson.

The question and answer session will be held on Sept.19, starting at approximately 2:45 p.m. ET and will be available via live webcast on J.C. Penney’s Investor Relations page.

Replays of the webcast will be available for up to 90 days after the event.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Holdings disclosed in a regulatory filing that "because we believe that the company has substantial liquidity and financial flexibility," the company has elected to contribute an additional $203 million to its domestic pension plan on Sept. 14, after which the plan will be 80% funded under applicable law.