Corporate Governance

Woonsocket, R.I. — CVS/pharmacy is taking a greater step toward targeting the Hispanic market with the launch of its new Spanish-language website.

Like the English-language site, the Spanish version, located at http://es.cvs.com, enables shoppers to manage their prescription account, get health information, purchase products, access coupons, etc. According to a MediaPost article, Google indicated that the new CVS Spanish website consists of 67,000 pages, most of which are product SKUs.

Lakeland, Fla. — Publix has achieved the eco milestone of saving more than 2 billion grocery bags since mid 2007. The company said it achieved this goal by training front service clerks and cashiers to increase the number of items per bag, implementing bag reduction goals for each store, holding communication campaigns to encourage the use of reusable bags and donating reusable bags to non-profits and partner organizations throughout the Southeast.

Goodlettsville,Tenn. — Dollar General has awarded grants to more than 593 nonprofit organizations, libraries and schools through the chain's literacy foundation.

Seattle -- Nordstrom Inc. reported Thursday that profit for the first quarter edged up just 2.7% to $149 million, compared with $145 million in the same period last year. Results, which were negatively impacted by free shipping offers and promotional initiatives, met internal expectations but missed Wall Street estimates.

Sales soared 13.7% to $2.53 billion, but still missed analysts’ forecast of $2.55 billion. Same-store sales rose 8.5%.

Little Rock, Ark. -- Dillard’s said Friday that net income for the quarter ended April 28 rose to $95 million, from $76.7 million in the year-ago period, setting a company record for profit increases.

Sales rose to $1.55 billion, from $1.47 billion. Same-store sales climbed 5%, the department store retailer’s seventh consecutive quarter of comp increases.

Dillard’s said it saw its greatest strength in the first quarter from the central region of the United States, followed by the eastern and the western regions.

Omaha, Neb. -- Midwestern discount department store retailer Gordman’s Stores said Friday that profit for the quarter ended April 28 rose 10.6% to $8.1 million, compared with $7.3 million in the year-ago period.

Sales rose 13.8% to $133.9 million, from $117.7 million. Same-store sales climbed 4.7%.

“We are pleased with our overall performance and remain confident in our ability to realize our sales and profit guidance for fiscal 2012," said Jeff Gordman, president and CEO.

Cincinnati -- A report on Friday by the Associated Press said that Kroger chief David Dillon received a 66% bump in pay in 2011, as the grocer surpassed its internal growth targets.

Dillon was paid a package worth $8.9 million last year, up from $5.4 million in 2010. The compensation included a cash performance bonus of $2.7 million. Stock and award options rose to $5.2 million and salary was $1.3 million.
 

New York -- Chocolatier Lindt said Thursday it has opened its new flagship Lindt Chocolate boutique in the landmark Rolex building on Fifth Avenue in New York City.

The 1,245-sq.-ft. store features a comprehensive chocolate selection, as well as Lindt Chocolate Advisors to educate and guide customers through the full experience.

The new store represents Lindt's second Fifth Avenue location and heralds a period of growth and expansion for the company's direct to consumer business.

Austin, Texas -- NetSpend Holdings said Thursday it has entered into a distribution agreement with Family Dollar to sell the NetSpend Visa prepaid debit card at the discounter’s store locations nationwide.

Family Dollar and NetSpend plan to make the prepaid cards available in more than 7,200 locations beginning this month, NetSpend officials said.
 

Woonsocket, R.I. -- CVS Caremark held its annual meeting of stockholders at its headquarters on Thursday, and the tone attendees heard was a positive one.

According to president and CEO Larry Merlo, the company is well-positioned for growth in an evolving healthcare market.

Merlo made note in the meeting of Walgreens’ battle with Express Scripts, which has created opportunity for CVS to pick up significant prescription business.