Corporate Governance

New York -- A report released Thursday by Bloomberg showed that household confidence improved last week to match the highest level in four years. 

The Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index was minus 31.4 in the period ended April 15, compared with minus 32.8 over the previous seven days. The reading equaled that from two weeks earlier as the best since March 2008.

Despite the strong showing, the monthly expectations measure fell from a one-year high, showing ongoing concerns that too many Americans are still unemployed.

Ventura, Calif. -- A Ventura, Calif., judge on Wednesday approved a settlement that forces CVS Caremark Corp. to pay $13.75 million to settle California claims that it illegally disposed of hazardous waste at California stores.

CVS came under investigation in 2010 after allegations were made that the drugstore chain had mishandled medical, pharmaceutical and photographic waste at California stores over a seven-year period.

Minneapolis -- In a video released by Best Buy and reported by Bloomberg, Best Buy Co. interim CEO Mike Mikan told employees on Thursday that his No. 1 priority in his new role is to execute the changes the company announced last month and plan a new direction for the retailer.

“In the days and weeks ahead, I’ll be working with our leadership team on a long-term vision, a path toward the future that will connect Best Buy with customers across multiple channels while improving performance,” Mikan said.
 

Los Altos, Calif. -- Survey results released Thursday by catalog shopping app Catalog Spree showed that 89.8% of American shoppers would prefer to receive their catalogs digitally and would opt out of the paper versions if they could receive a digital copy instead.

The survey also revealed that more than half (55.1%) of respondents would prefer all of their catalogs in digital form. Today, some 19 billion catalogs are mailed in the United States each year.

Mooresville, N.C. -- Lowe's Cos. Inc. said Thursday it has promoted two of its executives to newly created positions.

Effective May 5, current executive VP business development Gregory Bridgeford been named chief customer officer. Rick Damron, executive VP store operations, has been named COO.
 

Houston - Stage Stores said Thursday it has made Michael Glazer’s role as interim president and CEO a permanent one.

Glazer, a board member for the chain, was named interim chief following Andy Hall’s resignation in March.

According to Stage chairman William Montgoris, Glazer’s familiarity with the company’s growth and expansion strategy helped him secure the permanent role. “It became clear the company and its shareholders would be best served by making his appointment permanent," Montgoris said.

Atlanta -- The Coca-Cola Retailing Research Council has published the final installment of its five-part report on social media, which suggested that grocery marketers significantly can leverage any social media participation by simply responding to tweets on Twitter and exploring the potential of professional networking site LinkedIn.

St. Petersburg, Fla. -- HSN announced Thursday that it has appointed Nordstrom chief marketing officer Anne Martin-Vachon as its new chief merchant.

Effective May 14, Martin-Vachon’s will assume the position of chief merchandising officer for the multichannel retailer, charged with overseeing HSN's merchandising and planning teams. She will report directly to Mindy Grossman, CEO.

Chattanooga, Tenn. -- CBL & Associates Properties announced it has acquired interests in The Outlet Shoppes at El Paso in El Paso, Texas, and The Outlet Shoppes at Gettysburg in Gettysburg, Pa.

The operating outlet centers are owned and managed by Horizon Group Properties and its affiliates.
 
CBL has acquired a 75% interest in The Outlet Shoppes at El Paso and a 50% interest in The Outlet Shoppes at Gettysburg, for a total investment of $108.7 million.

Phoenix -- Cole Real Estate Investments and RED Development have announced the acquisition of Macerich’s interests in two retail power centers located in Chandler, Ariz.

In a related transaction, Cole acquired 100% ownership of a third power center located in Gilbert, Ariz. The transaction value for all three properties is $100.55 million.