Corporate Governance

CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. — Ikea announced that on Oct. 1, its U.S. stores will give away free tree seedlings through its partnership with American Forests. Ikea has been partnering with American Forests since 1998, and through their "Plant a Tree" campaign, they have raised $1.9 million dollars to plant 1.9 million trees.

WESTBOROUGH, Mass. —  BJ's Wholesale Club announced that it is partnering with 13 of the country's leading cancer centers to host picnic luncheons to educate guests about breast cancer. This is the sixth year BJ's is hosting these "Pink Picnic" events, which will feature a doctor or specialist from a partner hospital and an inspirational speaker, who will share her experience with the disease, the company reported.

CINCINNATI — While research groups are predicting various results for holiday spending, such retailers as Macy's Inc. are hoping that expectations for increased spending will prove to be right and are boosting seasonal hiring in preparation. Macy’s Inc. said it plans to hire approximately 78,000 seasonal associates for its Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s stores, call centers, distribution centers and online fulfillment centers nationwide for the 2011 holiday season.

NEW YORK — Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia nnounced that Jeanne Meyer has joined the company as SVP communications. In this position, she will work closely with the senior management team to lead, develop and execute a comprehensive corporate communications strategy for the company's media and merchandising businesses. She will report to president and COO Lisa Gersh.

STELLARTON, NS  and MINNEAPOLIS — Details for Target's entry into Canada continue to fall into place as the retailer announced last week a long-term wholesale distribution agreement with Sobeys Inc.

Beginning in early 2013, Sobeys will supply Target’s food and grocery requirements for frozen, dairy, and dry grocery products, inclusive of both national brand and Target’s private label brands.

ATLANTA — Home Depot announced that it has teamed up with Habitat for Humanity International for a new joint program, Repair Corps, to remodel and renovate the homes of U.S. military veterans. With $1.5 million in funding from The Home Depot Foundation, volunteer assistance from Team Depot, The Home Depot's associate-led volunteer force, and technical assistance from Habitat for Humanity International, the goal of Repair Corps is to provide Habitat affiliates across the country with the resources to repair the homes of nearly 100 veterans and their families.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway has appointed Kent Bradley as its new chief medical officer.

In his new role, Bradley will be responsible for developing and guiding the company's extensive portfolio of health care programs including its employee and consumer wellness and prevention activities. Additionally, Bradley also will assist Safeway's Safeway Health subsidiary on a range of business initiatives, the company said. He will report to Safeway EVP and Safeway Health president Larree Renda.

CINCINNATI — Kroger has committed $3 million in donations for local breast cancer initiatives across the country to support National Breast Cancer Awareness month in October, the grocer announced Monday.

"We are honored that so many of our courageous associates are willing to share their experiences as breast cancer survivors," stated David Dillon, Kroger's chairman and CEO. "Their inspirational stories educate and encourage others to better care for each other and their own health."

Chicago -- Meeting the needs of aging consumers offers retailers and brand marketers a major opportunity going forward, according to a new study by global management consulting firm A.T. Kearney.

Mature consumers form a worldwide market segment that spent $8 trillion in 2010 and will be spending $15 trillion annually by the end of this decade, the study estimated. Based on current worldwide demographic trajectories, in five years there will be more people over the age of 60 than under five; in 30 years, there will be more people over 60 than under 16.

Pleasanton, Calif. -- Safeway announced that Dr. Kent Bradley has joined the company as chief medical officer, a newly created position focused on further enhancing and building Safeway's reputation as a healthcare innovator. He joins Safeway after a distinguished career in the U.S. Army, where he earned the rank of Colonel and served in a wide of range assignments.