Corporate Governance

LONDON — Unilever has put its North America frozen meals business on the sales block.

SECAUCUS, N.J. — Panasonic Corporation of North America has launched a new communication campaign designed to bring attention to the brand's broad scope of products and solutions designed to meet consumer, business-to-business, and industrial needs. The campaign will also underscore Panasonic's global commitment to becoming the electronics industry's leader in green innovation by its 100th anniversary in 2018.

Washington -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star program launched the 2012 National Building Competition: Battle of the Buildings with a record 3,200 buildings across the country going head to head to improve energy efficiency, lower utility costs and protect health and the environment.

San Diego -- Walmart has completed its 100th solar installation in California, at a store on College Avenue in San Diego. After launching its solar pilot program in May 2007, Walmart strengthened its commitment to renewable energy in the state of California last year when it announced plans to expand its solar portfolio to more than 75% of its stores in California, approximately 130 stores, by the end of 2013. There are now 100 Walmart stores and Sam's Clubs in California using traditional and thin film solar installations.

Canton, Mass. -- Dunkin' Brands Group, the parent company of Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins, announced the appointment of Jack Clare to the position of CIO. He previously served as VP, IT and CIO, Yum! Restaurants International, the largest division of Yum! Brands.

In his role at Dunkin' Brands, Clare will be responsible for directing all information technology resources, with a focus on supporting the company's franchisee community to drive restaurant profitability through technology.

Birmingham, Ala. -- Books-A-Million has named Michael Rediker as corporate development analyst. Rediker will be responsible for identifying, analyzing and implementing strategic corporate initiatives within the organization, including new business growth opportunities.

Rediker was most recently with the investment banking firm Paces Battle Group Inc. where he also provided a broad array of transactional and other corporate finance services to bank and thrift clients.

Roswell, Ga. -- PGA Tour Superstore announced plans to open a location in Paramus, N.J. The store, scheduled to open later this year, is PGA Tour’s 15th location.

The PGA superstores are owned and operated by Golf & Tennis Pro Shop, whose controlling owner and chairman is Arthur M. Blank, retired Home Depot co-founder and owner of the Atlanta Falcons.

Ridgefield, Conn. -- Schimenti Construction has announced that it has been selected to build a new Buybuy Baby in the Fashion Center, Paramus, N.J. The 53,028-sq.-ft. store will be on the third floor of the shopping mall.

Designed by Greenberg Farrow Architecture, Arlington Heights, Ill., the store will present a construction challenge in that is has very limited accessibility for bringing in required construction materials.

Newport Beach, Calif. -- JustEnough Software, a provider of demand management solutions for retailers, distributors and brand owners worldwide, announced that Five Below has selected its merchandise financial planning solution.

New York -- Lower cotton costs will boost the earnings of US retail apparel companies during the coming back-to-school season, according to a report by Moody's Investors Service.

The report, "Back to School: Lower Cotton Costs, Gas Prices Set Stage for Higher 3Q Earnings,” notes that for the third quarter overall, Moody's expects the apparel-makers' growth in earnings to outpace their growth in sales.