Retail

CLEVELAND -- Sherwin-Williams announced that it is partnered with the lifestyle television network HGTV to launch "HGTV HOME by Sherwin-Williams," an exclusive line of interior paint and painting supplies in the second quarter of 2011. The licensing partnership includes eight unique color collections, durable and low-odor paint manufactured by Sherwin-Williams, as well as an array of smart tools designed to help consumers enjoy the perfect painting experience, the company reported.

Cincinnati -- A survey released Thursday by Cintas Corp. found that 99% of U.S. adults say poor cleanliness negatively impacts their perception of a retail store.

In the telephone survey conducted by Harris Interactive among more than 1,000 U.S. adults ages 18 and older, respondents said that dirty restrooms and unpleasant odors are more annoying than poor customer service.

ST. LOUIS, Mo. — Save-A-Lot announced that it will break ground for a new 325,000-sq.-ft. food distribution center in Lexington, N.C.  The state-of-the-art center located in Lexington’s Business Center is expected to open by December 2011 and employ more than 40 employees initially with the potential for hiring additional employees once the facility is at full capacity.

Mooresville, N.C. -- Lowe's Cos. said Thursday that executive VP and chief information officer Steven Stone is leaving the company in order to pursue other interests.

Lowe’s said it has named current executive VP store operations and Lowes.com Michael Brown as Stone’s successor.

Brown will report to chairman and CEO Robert Niblock.

Atlanta -- First Data Corp. said Thursday that it has entered into an agreement with Kohl’s Department Stores to provide payment processing services for the company’s private brand credit-card accounts.

The multi-year agreement calls for First Data to provide Kohl’s with credit-card processing, customer analytics, risk-management services and automated customer service workflow tools.

Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands -- Ahold reported that net sales for its U.S. division increased 6% to $5.6 billion for the fourth quarter. Identical-store sales for the quarter increased 1.9%(0.9% excluding gasoline), and comparable sales were up 2.1%.

For the full year the company reported net sales of $23.5 billion increased b y  5.1% when compared to the adjusted full year 2009 sales. Identical sales were up 1.5% (0.4% excluding gasoline).

MINNEAPOLIS — During the Super Bowl, football fans look forward to guilt-free snacking and will fumble on healthy eating goals for the day, according to the 2011 Supervalu Snack Down Survey by Harris Interactive.

SARASOTA, Fla. -- The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) announced that Bill Simon, president and CEO of Walmart stores, and Steven Preston, president and CEO of OakLeaf Waste Management were named to the RILA board of directors, following the board’s semi-annual board of directors meeting held Sunday in Sarasota, Fla.

Simon replaces Walmart vice chairman and president and CEO of global e-commerce and global sourcing Eduardo Castro-Wright.