News

ST. LOUIS — Cereal maker Post Holdings has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Premier Nutrition, makers of the Joint Juice brand.

PNC is a rapidly growing marketer and distributor of premium protein beverages and foods under its Premier Protein brand and nutritional supplements under its Joint Juice brand.

OAKLAND, Calif. — Clorox sales results for the fourth quarter ended June 30 increased slightly, but despite being lower than anticipated, the company is ready to take on competitive pressures and increase its merchandising activity.

New York -- Guitar Center has named Christopher Ian Bennett as the company's first-ever VP communications and corporate affairs.

In his previous role, Bennett led Best Buy Canada's corporate communications department under Mike Pratt, who is Guitar Center's new CEO.

In his new role, Bennett will be responsible for the overall internal and external communications strategy of Guitar Center and affiliated brands, and will be charged with driving a clear and singular message.

Surging home prices and 401K balances have millions of Americans feeling better about their personal balance sheets and the state of the economy, but Walmart’s core shoppers remain under duress and that could spell trouble for second quarter sales.
 

Staying on top of emerging supply chain trends is critical in today’s global marketplace. Understanding current trends enables us to stay relevant, remain competitive and manage our businesses proactively, rather than reactively.

Walmart pulled a dietary supplement from its Web site this week following a report by USA Today that called into question the product’s safety and the track record of the supplier.
 
The product in question was a pre-workout supplement called Craze from supplier Matt Cahill who USA Today said has a history of putting risky supplements on the market. Walmart spokeswoman Dianna Gee said the product was pulled to, “allow us time to look further into not only the safety of the product, but also the integrity of the supplier.”

New York -- Households with school-age children (pre-kindergarten through 12th grade) plan a big cut-back in back-to-school spending. Results of the 2013 Brand Keys Back to School Report Card show that there will be a year-over-year decrease of 10% in back-to-school spending, or an average spend this year of just more than $600 per household.

However, not every retailer will experience a decline in back-to-school profits. This year, the eight retailers showing the greatest increase in consumer intent-to-shop were:

1. Amazon

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation has issued statements from president and CEO Matthew Shay and chief economist Jack Kleinhenz on the July employment numbers.

NRF pegged retail job gains at 37,000 in July, with increases in general merchandise, food and beverage and building and garden supply stores.