Sales & Marketing

First it was sustainability, then came hunger and the affordability of quality food, women’s economic empowerment and now support of U.S. manufacturing. Walmart contends it has a responsibility to lead in these areas and others, but whether it is truly doing so is the subject of some debate.

Cincinnati -- The Kroger Co. today announced its inaugural listing on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index-North America.

The Dow Jones Sustainability Index-North America tracks the economic, environmental and social sustainability performance of the top 20% of the 600 largest North America-based companies in the Dow Jones Global Total Stock Market Index.

Union, N.J. – Bed, Bath & Beyond, Inc. reported year-over-year increases in net income, net sales and same-store sales during the second quarter of fiscal 2013. Net income grew about 18%, to $249.3 million from $224.3 million.

Loblaw has announced a string of executive moves, including the appointment of Mark Butler as EVP integration, who is charged with integrating the recently acquired Shoppers Drug Mart.

In the newly created role, Butler will take on responsibility for planning the integration of Shoppers Drug Mart, while ensuring it remains an independent division. And subject to completion of the transaction following review by the Competition Bureau, Butler will lead the team charged with delivering synergies. He has 37 years with Loblaw, and most recently was EVP conventional division.

New York -- British lifestyle brand Holland & Holland is launching its U.S. e-commerce site today. This interactive e-commerce site will allow Holland & Holland clothing, fashion accessories, gifts and shooting accoutrement to be available for purchase for the first time nationwide.

eBay is in the process of acquiring Braintree, an innovative global payment platform powering online and mobile-first startups, for approximately $800 million in cash.

Monrovia, Calif. – Trader Joe’s will reportedly open a new store in the Hingham Shipyard complex in Hingham, Mass., on Oct. 4.

According to the Hingham Journal, Trader Joe’s signed a lease with Samuels & Associates in winter 2012 to open a 12,000-sq.-ft. store in the Launch portion of the Shipyard complex.

San Francisco — Investment and management firm Jamestown has acquired Ghirardelli Square, a 100,394-sq.-ft. lifestyle and entertainment-oriented retail complex located at San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf for an undisclosed sum. The retail portion of the asset was 55 percent leased at the time of the sale, which includes the Ghirardelli Square Chocolate Company’s U.S. flagship location and numerous boutique shops and restaurants.