News

The National Retail Federation has formed the Small Business Retail Council to organize, recruit and engage Main Street merchants and independent community retailers in grassroots advocacy activities.

The council will represent and be responsive to the needs, concerns and interests of local shops and provide the association’s small business members a forum to discuss the most pressing public policy issues and priorities.

Phoenix – Jana Partners, the largest shareholder in PetSmart by one million shares with a 9.9% disclosed ownership stake, is pressuring PetSmart to sell the company. In a letter to the PetSmart board of directors, Jana said it will seek to install new, pro-sale board members at the upcoming annual meeting if PetSmart does not start seeking a sale.

Grand Rapids, Mich. - Flatgoods recently launched a new website that allows customers to order any of their furniture pieces and customize them for their needs. Twenty-seven items are available for purchase, including items for home, storage and tradeshow use.

The website also features assembly instructions and a blog, detailing the latest events, clients, and news related to Flatgoods. New items will be added to the site periodically.

Online home furnishings company Wayfair has added e-commerce expert Romero Rodrigues to its board of directors.

Rodrigues, a 36-year-old Brazil native, is currently global CEO at South African company Naspers, which acquired his company Buscape in 2009 for $374 million.

Fremont, Calif. – The Men’s Wearhouse reported same-store sales growth of 3.6% for the second quarter of fiscal 2014 as of July 19. The retailer’s second quarter ends Aug. 2.

In addition, as of July 19 same-stores sales in Men’s Wearhouse’s Jos. A. Bank division, which was purchased in June 2014, were up 2.4%. Same-store sales at the Moore’s division were up 8.3%.

Hormel Foods Corporation has elected three new members to its board of directors: Gary C. Bhojwani, chairman of Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America; Sally J. Smith, president and CEO of Buffalo Wild Wings; and Steven A. White, president, Comcast West Division.

“We welcome Gary, Sally and Steve to our board and look forward to their valuable input and contributions to the growth and success of Hormel Foods,” said Jeffrey M. Ettinger, chairman of the board, president and CEO of Hormel Foods.

New York – Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (MSLO) reported net income of $2.24 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2014, a turnaround from a net loss of $636,000 in the second quarter of the previous fiscal year. Revenues fell 11% to $37.6 million from $42.2 million, due to lower print and merchandising revenue partially offset by higher digital advertising revenue.

Houston -- Mattress Firm Holding Corp. has completed its rollout of Genesis Credit second-look financing, which is powered by Genesis Financial Solutions. Genesis Credit allows customers with less-than-perfect credit to purchase goods and services from any Mattress Firm location.