Home Improvement

DULUTH, Ga. — AGCO, a worldwide manufacturer and distributor of agricultural equipment and infrastructure, has appointed Roger Batkin as VP, general counsel. Batkin joined the company in 2000.

Walmart held another one of its Global Sustainability Milestone Meetings on Thursday and shed new light on priorities and initiatives that promise to have far-reaching implications on suppliers as well as competitors.

The highlight of the meeting was an update on the company’s Sustainability Index which has been rolled out to 200 product categories and 1,000 suppliers with a total of 300 categories and 5,000 suppliers expected by year end, according to the company.

Tampa, Fla. — From January through August of this year, the RMC Property Group has leased 430,000 sq. ft. of retail space. Approximately 200,000 sq. ft. of that volume was leased during the three-month period of June through August, indicating a strong uptick in growth over the summer.

Notable deals include:

Atlanta – The Home Depot, Inc. is reportedly being sued in California Superior Court for unfair, arbitrary attempts to collect damages from customers accused of shoplifting.

According to Bloomberg, a California man filed a class action suit against Home Depot on Sept. 5 after receiving two letters from the retailer’s law firm threatening criminal prosecution if he did not pay hundreds of dollars in damages for taking work gloves worth about $8, which he says he did not steal.

Atlanta -- The Home Depot reportedly expects a continuing recovery in the U.S. housing market to improve its sales later this year. In an interview with Bloomberg, Frank Blake, CEO of Home Depot, Inc., said steady improvement in the housing market should lead to private equity firms and investors renovating properties for rental.

THE WOODLANDS, Texas — Regional consumer electronics retailer Conn’s plans to more than double its footprint in Phoenix following second quarter results, which showed an 18.4% increase in same-store sales.

Mooresville, N.C. -- Lowe’s Companies announced that Michael P. McDermott will join the company as senior VP and general merchandising manager- building and maintenance, a new position.

McDermott will be responsible for the lumber & building materials, millwork, hardware & tools and rough plumbing & electrical divisions. He will report to chief merchandising officer, Michael A. Jones.

Lowe’s has appointed Michael P. McDermott to the newly created position of SVP and general merchandising manager-building and maintenance.

McDermott will be responsible for the Lumber & Building Materials, Millwork, Hardware & Tools and Rough Plumbing & Electrical divisions. He will report to chief merchandising officer Michael A. Jones.