Corporate Governance

Lakeland, Fla. -- Publix reported net earnings for the third quarter fell 2.3% to $359.9 million, compared to $368.4 million in the year ago period.

Sales for the third quarter were $7 billion, up 5.6% from last year’s $6.7 billion. Same-store sales rose 4.1%.

Gander Mountain has promoted Mike Owens to the position of president and COO. Owens was the company’s EVP and COO since joining in 2009.
 
“This is an exciting time for Gander Mountain, and we are very optimistic about our future,” said chairman of the board and CEO David Pratt, who has overseen a sizeable expansion in the past 18 months. “In Mike we have a true leader in driving further growth and success for Gander Mountain across our network of stores. I offer my personal congratulations to Mike on a well-deserved promotion.”

Chicago -- Claire's Stores has entered into a partnership with Dylan's Candy Bar, the world's largest confectionary emporium and lifestyle brand, whereby Claire’s will sell an edited selection of Dylan’s candies. The assortment features nearly 30 items, all under $24 – from lollipops, chocolate bars and fillable gummy bears to cotton candy buckets, cupcake pillows and sweet candy houses

Big Lots plans to close down its wholesale operations, Big Lots Wholesale, Consolidated International and Wisconsin Toy, by the end of the current fiscal year. The move is the latest in the company’s strategy to refine its business model and focus on its retail stores.

As things wind down for the wholesale business its inventory will be liquidated. The company says that it will assimilate employees into its retail operations wherever and whenever possible throughout the next 90 days.

Dallas — SRS Real Estate Partners welcomes T. Michael McNamara as first VP in the Tampa, Fla., office. A seasoned commercial real estate veteran with 23 years of experience, he will focus on tenant representation, landlord representation and land brokerage services across Tampa Bay and Central Florida.

McNamara comes to SRS from Sperry Van Ness where he was a senior advisor specializing in the sale and leasing of retail, office and industrial properties in the Sarasota, Orlando and Tampa Ba markets.

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has given Office Max and Office Depot clearance to proceed with their proposed merger. The companies anticipate completing the transaction after market close on Nov. 5, subject to the satisfaction of remaining closing conditions.

New York -- The Container Store on Friday, Nov. 1, began trading on the New York Stock Exchange, under the ticker symbol “TCS.” Expectations were high: On Thursday, the retailer set its IPO price at $18 per share, higher than the originally-expected range of $14 to $16 per share.

The company is offering all 12.5 million shares of common stock, with an additional 1.9 million shares 30-day purchase option for the underwriters.

Clorox saw volume for the first quarter ended Sept. 30 increase 1%, primarily driven by gains in the company's professional products, charcoal, laundry and Burt's Bees businesses, which were partially offset by declines in home care.

Sales grew 2%, with increases in three out of four segments, reflecting the benefit of price increases, higher volume and favorable mix and assortment, partially offset by unfavorable foreign currency exchange rates. Excluding the impact of foreign currencies, sales grew 3.5%.