Corporate Governance

Rogers, Ark. -- Walmart and Redman & Associates, a manufacturer of ride-on toys, announced that Redman will open a new manufacturing and distribution facility in Rogers, Ark., that will six-volt battery-powered ride-on toys featuring characters from popular Disney and Marvel franchises.

A manufacturing facility in Rogers, Ar., operated by Redman & Associates plans to hire 74 new workers as it increases domestic sourcing of ride-on toys sold at Walmart.

CashStar, a digital gifting company, has named Ben Kaplan as the company’s president and CEO. In addition to his role as president and CEO, Kaplan remains a member of the company’s board of directors, to which he was appointed in August when he joined CashStar as COO.

Goodlettsville, Tenn. -- Dollar General Corp. has opened its 11,000 store, marking itself as the retailer with the most stores in the United States.

The st0re is located in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Dollar General said it anticipates opening 650 new stores in 2013. The company plans to create 6,000 new jobs in 2013.

Dublin, Calif. -- Epicor Software Corporation, a global leader in business software solutions, announced that Joseph (Joe) L. Cowan has been appointed president and CEO.  Cowan, who brings extensive executive management experience in software and technology to Epicor, succeeds Pervez Qureshi, who is stepping down to pursue new opportunities. Qureshi will also be stepping down from his position as a director on the Epicor board of directors.

New York -- Fifth & Pacific Cos., formerly known as Liz Claiborne, agreed to sell its Juicy Couture brand to Authentic Brands Group for $195 million, according to various reports.  

"This decision is the result of a process we began last year—studying our resource allocation needs, our capital structure, and the operating risks and opportunities associated with a three-brand portfolio while still maximizing shareholder value," said William McComb, CEO of Fifth & Pacific, in a statement.

BeachMint, parent company of JewelMint, StyleMint, ShoeMint and intiMINT, has expanded its partnership with Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen, designers of the Row, Elizabeth and James, Olsenboye and StyleMint. 

The agreement names Ashley Olsen and Mary-Kate Olsen co-chairs of BeachMint's advisory board, a role that will be consultative and creative in nature across the four fashion Mint brands. Previously the celebrity twins were partners and designers solely in BeachMint's apparel brand, StyleMint.

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) organization’s CEO Summit is winding down in Bali, Indonesia and Walmart Asia CEO Scott Price used the event as a platform to share progress the company has made on a variety of fronts.

Price, who serves as chairman of the National Center for APEC, was among a roster of high level business executive and global political leaders to attend the event which ran from October 1-8. Notably absent was U.S. President Barack Obama who had canceled his visit at the last minute due to the U.S. government shutdown.