Corporate Governance

Menomonee Falls, Wis. -- Retail interior environments manufacturer TJ  Hale has purchased Milwaukee-based millwork manufacturer A.J. Pietsch. 

A.J. Pietsch manufacturing will move to Menomonee Falls, and the two companies will leverage their state-of-the-art systems, CNC equipment and facilities. 

New York -- In a surprise announcement, Target said that Michael Francis, executive VP and chief marketing officer of Target Corp., has elected to leave the company.  In January, 2011, Francis was charged with overseeing with Target’s Canadian entrance. 

The retailer was short on specifics regarding Francis’ departure. 

"We would like to thank Michael for his many contributions and wish him the best in his future endeavors" said Gregg Steinhafel, chairman, president and CEO, in a statement. 

Milford, Conn. — Subway said Monday that it opened more than 400 sandwich shops during August and September in 44 countries, 36 U.S. states and seven Canadian provinces.

The new restaurants account for more than 480,000 sq. ft. of retail space and bring the total number of Subways to just over 35,300 locations in 98 countries.

Johannesburg, South Africa — A Bloomberg report on Sunday said that Massmart Holdings Ltd., the South African retailer controlled by Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., will open 23 new outlets over the next eight months, part of its plan to not only expand its coverage area but also to add jobs in the region. The plan calls for 15,000 jobs over the next three years.

The retailer also said it will repeat a price-cut promotion at its stores.

Bentonville, Ark., and Bellevue, Wash. — Walmart and T-Mobile USA, Inc. announced Monday that T-Mobile will launch a $30 unlimited web and text monthly 4G prepaid service plan to be sold exclusively in-store at more than 2,200 Walmart stores and online at Walmart.com and T-Mobile.com.

The new plan is slated for an Oct. 16 launch.

In addition, Walmart is increasing its line-up of T-Mobile phones to six, including the addition of Walmart’s first 4G prepaid handset.

Secaucus, N.J. — The Children's Place Retail Stores, Inc. said Friday that it has named Peter Warner as SVP global sourcing, for the chain.

Warner will be responsible for the global sourcing and production functions, technical services and Asian operations. Most recently, he served as SVP of Global Sourcing & Operations for Liz Claiborne Inc.

QUINCY, Mass. — Stop & Shop is opening the doors of its third store in Cranston, R.I., this weekend, the supermarket chain announced Friday.

"We value the relationship we have with our Cranston area customers and community partners and are pleased to open another store to help further serve the community," Stop & Shop New England division president Mark McGowan said.

The new store, which will pursue LEED certification in the coming months, was built with a range of energy-efficient features including:

SEATTLE — Bartell Drugs has unveiled its latest store concept, the chain said Friday.

Bartell's, the country's oldest drug chain, announced the opening of what the company called its "next generation" store format, a remodel of an existing store in Seattle's Roosevelt neighborhood. The company developed the new concept in conjunction with Hartmann Group, a consumer consulting firm based in Bellevue, Wash.

Washington, D.C. -- A report released Friday by the Commerce Dept. showed that consumer spending in the U.S. slowed in August, impacted by falling incomes and sporadic hiring.

Commerce Dept. figures showed that purchases edged up 0.2% after a 0.7% increase in July. However, a 0.2% increase in prices wiped out the slight spending gain. Incomes dipped 0.1%, the first decline since October 2009.

WESTBOROUGH, Mass. — BJ's Wholesale Club officially is owned by Leonard Green & Partners and CVC Capital Partners, just a few weeks after the retailer's stockholders approved the agreement.

BJ's was required in an all-cash transaction valued at $51.25 per share, or $2.8 billion.

BJ’s common stock will be delisted from the New York Stock Exchange prior to the opening of business on Monday, Oct. 3, the companies said.

The deal was announced in late June after months of speculation. BJ’s board of directors unanimously approved the agreement.