Vitamin Shoppe

One of the nation’s largest franchisees will soon also be operating GNC stores.

Moving ahead with its plan to reduce its corporate-owned store footprint, GNC announced plans to sell 84 company-owned locations to Dallas-based Sun Holdings for about $17 million. The retailer revealed the sale amid disappointing first quarter results.

Starbucks Corp. announced a major initiative to help the nation’s neediest citizens.

The coffee giant is launching FoodShare, a program to donate all leftover ready-to-eat meals from its 7,600 U.S. company-operated stores to food banks. In the first year alone, the program will be able to provide nearly 5 million meals, according to company estimates.

The Vitamin Shoppe is changing the structure of its board of directors as it looks to enhance its corporate governance practices.

The company announced its board will rotate the role of lead director for the second time since the company's Oct. 28, 2009, initial public offering. David Edwab, who served as lead director since April 2011, has stepped down from that role and John Bowlin, who became a member of the Vitamin Shoppe board in October 2014, will now serve as lead director.

Livonia, Mich. -- Schostak Brothers & Company announced Steve Black will join its team as acquisitions manager. Black will source, analyze and acquire investment properties for the company’s portfolio, with a focus on growing its Supercenter Walmart shadow anchor footprint.

Walmart and Hobby Lobby top the retailer list of the first ever annual Faith Equality Index.

Faith Driven Consumer, a group that represents 41 million Christian consumers, has published an index rating the faith compatibility of major brands both in the consumer and entertainment spheres, as well as serving as a voice for this community.

When it comes to satisfying online customers, the little guys may have an edge. Online review site Bizrate Insights (a division of marketing solutions firm Connexity) has released its 16th annual Bizrate Circle of Excellence awards, and only a few major retailers are included.

North Bergen, N.J. -- Vitamin Shoppe Inc. had a tough quarter but its earnings still beat the Street.

The retailer on Wednesday reported second-quarter net income of $14.2 million, down from $16.9 million in the year-ago period, but still topping Wall Street expectations.

The company also said it plans 50 new stores in 2015.

Revenue increased 5.3% to $322.3 million in the period, short of analysts’ forecasts for $327.9 million.

North Bergen. N.J. - Vitamin Shoppe Inc. hired David M. Kastin as senior VP, general counsel and corporate secretary effective Aug. 17. Kastin will be responsible for overseeing all internal and external legal matters of the company and will serve as corporate secretary to Vitamin Shoppe's board of directors.