Corporate Governance

HONOLULU — Walmart is firming its commitment to Asia Pacific economies, the company announced at the annual Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit in Honolulu, Hawaii, Nov. 11 to 14. 

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway dedicated Veterans Day weekend to pay tribute to past and present service members and raise money for an organization that provides programs and outreach to those who were severely injured while serving their country.

Beginning Veterans Day, Nov.  11 through Nov. 13, all U.S. Safeway stores helped raise funds for the Wounded Warrior Project.

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Office Depot announced that Steve Schmidt has been named president international. Schmidt, who previously served as EVP corporate strategy and new business development, will continue to report to Neil Austrian, chairman and CEO of Office Depot.

Schmidt will oversee Office Depot’s multichannel (contract, direct and retail) international business that sells to customers directly or through affiliates in 56 countries outside of the U.S. and Canada.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart has launched a Facebook campaign that is looking to aid local organizations that are providing such basic needs as food, shelter, clothing and baby supplies to their respective communities.

PLANO, Texas — JCPenney, which reported sales and income decreases for the third quarter, has brought on two new executives to join fellow Apple alumnus, CEO, Ron Johnson. 

WAYNE, N.J. — Toys"R"Us has become the latest retailer to join the trend of starting "Black Friday" on Thanksgiving night. The company announced that, for the first time, it will open its doors at 9 p.m. on Nov. 24. On Nov. 24, customers will also find the company's Thanksgiving-weekend circular, whichis filled with more than $12,500 in savings, including doorbusters, Thursday through Saturday discounts and free gift-with-purchase offers, Toys"R'Us said.

SECAUCUS, N.J. — The Children's Place Retail Stores has announced the appointment of Lori Tauber Marcus as SVP chief marketing officer, effective Nov. 16. She will be responsible for brand strategy, e-commerce, CRM, creative services, public relations, social media and visual merchandising. She will report directly to Jane Elfers, president and CEO.

It is a good thing Target has been experimenting with smaller stores in the United States. The experience, limited as it is, will come in handy when the company begins opening stores in former Zellers locations in early 2013.

Unemployment is a double-edged sword when it comes to the retail industry. The high single-digit rate in the United States means retailers can be more selective in their choice of hourly workers but the downside of fewer people working is less money sloshing around the economy for shoppers to spend. The situation in Canada is the opposite of the United States, and there are some major implications for Target.

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Family Dollar is expanding into California for the first time with the opening of four new stores in Ontario, Rialto, Riverside and Fontana. The company's aggressive growth plans also include 450 to 500 new stores to be opened in fiscal 2012.