Convenience Stores

Forget $15 an hour, this legislation is worse
Earlier this year, San Francisco sent shockwaves through the business community when it enacted the “Retail Workers Bill of Rights,” two ordinances that significantly burden retail employers operating in San Francisco by requiring large retailers to provide “predictability pay” to any employee who does not receive sufficient notice of scheduling changes.
Delhaize Group sustainability efforts include recycling, greenhouse gas
Brussels, Belgium – Delhaize Group has released its 2014 Sustainability Report. Among the sustainability achievements in 2014 across the organization were: obtaining 35% of Delhaize America private brand food sales from products with high nutritional value up from 33% in 2013.

Fred’s beats Street on loss, misses on sales

Memphis, Tenn. – Fred’s Inc. beat Wall Street expectations for profit despite swinging to a net loss of $29,000 in the first quarter of fiscal 2015 from net income of $6.1 million in the same period the prior year. The retailer missed on net income of $509 million, up 2% from $498.3 million.

Higher salary and benefit costs helped move Fred’s into the red. Same-store sales climbed 0.8%.

Jerry A. Shore, CEO, said pharmacy is a critical component of Fred’s strategy for profitability moving forward.
Dollar General taps COO Todd Vasos as new chief executive

Goodlettsville, Tenn. -- Dollar General Corp. on Thursday named Todd J. Vasos, COO, to the position of chief executive, effective June 3. He has also been elected to the board.

Vasos will succeed Rick Dreiling, chairman and CEO, who had previously announced his retirement plans. Dreiling will remain on the board for the remainder of his term and will serve as senior advisor and chairman of the board through January 29, 2016.

The election of Vasos to Dollar General’s board will bring the total number of directors to nine.
Walmart funds path to success in Florida

The Walmart Foundation is investing in job training efforts in Florida by giving more than $1 million in grants to 21 nonprofits across the state.

"Through these grants, more than 20 deserving nonprofit organizations will be able to continue funding vital local programs across the state,” said Senate President Andy Gardiner. “Thanks to Walmart and the Walmart Foundation for recognizing the impact these programs have on so many lives. We appreciate their continued investment in communities throughout Florida."
Vasos named CEO at Dollar General

Dollar General elevated COO Todd Vasos to the role of CEO, filling a position held by Rick Dreiling who is sticking to his original retirement timetable after losing out to Dollar Tree in the bidding for Family Dollar.
Online fulfillment choices ‘Pick Up’

The seminal digital event that occurred in the year 2007 was the introduction of the first iPhone, but there was another noteworthy development that year involving Walmart e-commerce.

A few months after the iPhone made headlines, Walmart rolled out its buy online, pick up in store service branded as Site to Store and helped give meaning to the word omnichannel. In digital terms, 2007 was eons ago.
99 Cents Only names former Kmart exec as interim president/CEO

City of Commerce, Calif. - 99 Cents Only Stores has named Andrew Giancamilli, chairman of the company’s board of directors, as interim president and CEO, replacing Stéphane Gonthier, who has resigned.
Ahold grows net income, U.S. market share in Q1

Zaandam, Netherlands – Global grocery conglomerate Ahold N.V. had a successful first quarter of fiscal 2015, reporting growth in overall net income and in U.S. market share. Net income more than quadrupled to $230.74 million from $54.16 million, aided by the elimination of discontinued operations from the same period a year earlier.
Domino’s names executives including new marketing head

Ann Arbor, Mich. - Domino's Pizza has announced several key internal leadership appointments and promotions, including naming Joe Jordan, 41, as VP and chief marketing officer.

Jordan has been with Domino's since 2011 when he began serving as the VP of marketing innovation. Most recently, Jordan was VP of field marketing where he spearheaded the realignment of interdisciplinary resources to better support franchisees at the local level. Prior to Domino's, he held marketing roles at Accenture, Philips, Unilever and PepsiCo Inc.
Krogers supports USO with new campaign

The Kroger Co. is teaming up with the USO on a new customer engagement campaign to raise money for military veterans and their families.

Customers and associates of Kroger Co. stores (including Ralph's, Food 4 Less and other divisions) will be able to show their support through July 21 by donating their spare change in specially-marked coin boxes at the check stands in all Ralphs supermarkets. One-hundred percent of all donations will go to the USO. But new this year is a digital marketing element in which veterans tell their stories on honoringourheroes.com.
Hooters will expand globally with Colliers International

Atlanta - Hooters of America LLC has finalized an agreement with global commercial real estate services firm Colliers International to have the firm advise Hooters on real estate needs and provide strategic counsel as the brand expands domestically and internationally. Colliers International’s Bob Browning, VP for retail services, and Robert Hantgan, senior VP, are managing the exclusive assignment.