Corporate Governance

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Meijer's "Simply Give Week" garnered more than $145,000 in donations from its customers. The effort, combined with the commitment from Meijer to double all donations made Sept. 2 to 8, brought the week's total donation to $437,400, Meijer co-chairman Hank Meijer said.

Meijer launched Simply Give Week to support Hunger Action Month in September and highlights its continuing commitment to hunger relief.

SAN FRANCISCO — Gap Inc. is celebrating the 35th anniversary of Gap Foundation at a special gathering at the company's San Francisco headquarters on Sept. 13.

“We’re proud to celebrate 35 years of Gap Inc. employees fulfilling the promise made by Doris and Don Fisher to ‘do more than sell clothes,’” said Bobbi Silten, president of Gap Foundation. “It’s an exciting milestone for everyone involved with the company.”

WAYNE, N.J. — Get them in early and often seems to be the motto for Toys”R”Us this year, as the toy retailer is hoping new initiatives will encourage customers shop for holiday toys well before December.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Fashion consultant Fern Mallis will debut a jewelry collection for HSN on Oct. 10.

The 22-piece assortment features various statement pieces including a show-stopping layered necklace with matching cuff, embellished bangles, chunky necklaces and gem encrusted rings and earrings from $35 to $139.

PHOENIX and MIAMI — Visitors to Walmart this fall have the opportunity to learn about Straight Talk Wirelsss and support the Make-A-Wish foundation in the process.

The company announced that for every shopper who participates in a demonstration of a Straight Talk Wireless Android smart phone. it will donate $1 to Make-A-Wish, with the ultimate goal of $1,000,000. The event will take place over four consecutive Saturdays starting September 22, 2012 at over 3,000 participating Walmarts under the banner "One Minute One Million."

Boston-based City Sports names Edward Albertian as president and CEO

The 21 store chain said Albertian had joined the company after serving the prior seven years as president and CEO of Trans National Group.

Retailers plan to hire an increased number of temporary workers this holiday season, according to a survey by the global consulting firm Hay Group.

"Retailers are betting that 2012 is going to be a great holiday season," said Craig Rowley, vp and global practice leader for Hay Group’s retail practice. "After four years of economic turbulence, they have figured out how to operate in an uncertain business environment and are calm and cool, knowing that they are ready, as they head into the holidays."

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.”
 

New York -- Nordstrom will announce on Thursday that it will open its first four stores in Canada by 2015, according to the Globe and Mail. Executives of Nordstrom and Cadillac Fairview, the landlord of the four malls where the stores will be located, set to unveil the sites at a news conference in Toronto, the report said.

The stores will be located in Pacific Centre in Vancouver, Chinook Centre in Calgary, Ottawa’s Rideau Centre and Sherway Gardens in Toronto, according to previous reports.

New York -- Abercrombie & Fitch Co. has hired Goldman Sachs Group Inc. in the wake of investor pressure, according to Reuters.

The report was based on a source familiar with the matter who did elaborate on the nature of the pressure was or name the investors. But CNBC tweeted that Goldman was hired to help keep activist Relational Investors at bay.