News

NEW YORK — Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia nnounced that Jeanne Meyer has joined the company as SVP communications. In this position, she will work closely with the senior management team to lead, develop and execute a comprehensive corporate communications strategy for the company's media and merchandising businesses. She will report to president and COO Lisa Gersh.

STELLARTON, NS  and MINNEAPOLIS — Details for Target's entry into Canada continue to fall into place as the retailer announced last week a long-term wholesale distribution agreement with Sobeys Inc.

Beginning in early 2013, Sobeys will supply Target’s food and grocery requirements for frozen, dairy, and dry grocery products, inclusive of both national brand and Target’s private label brands.

ATLANTA — Home Depot announced that it has teamed up with Habitat for Humanity International for a new joint program, Repair Corps, to remodel and renovate the homes of U.S. military veterans. With $1.5 million in funding from The Home Depot Foundation, volunteer assistance from Team Depot, The Home Depot's associate-led volunteer force, and technical assistance from Habitat for Humanity International, the goal of Repair Corps is to provide Habitat affiliates across the country with the resources to repair the homes of nearly 100 veterans and their families.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway has appointed Kent Bradley as its new chief medical officer.

In his new role, Bradley will be responsible for developing and guiding the company's extensive portfolio of health care programs including its employee and consumer wellness and prevention activities. Additionally, Bradley also will assist Safeway's Safeway Health subsidiary on a range of business initiatives, the company said. He will report to Safeway EVP and Safeway Health president Larree Renda.

CINCINNATI — Kroger has committed $3 million in donations for local breast cancer initiatives across the country to support National Breast Cancer Awareness month in October, the grocer announced Monday.

"We are honored that so many of our courageous associates are willing to share their experiences as breast cancer survivors," stated David Dillon, Kroger's chairman and CEO. "Their inspirational stories educate and encourage others to better care for each other and their own health."

New York City -- Jesta I.S. announced that shoe retailer Town Shoes Ltd. has implemented Jesta’s Vision Suite in a pilot store. The Canadian chain is using Jesta's Vision Mobile-Operations module to complete “in-the-aisle” stock transfers for improved customer service.

Amid economic uncertainty and low consumer confidence levels, retail CFOs are expecting a 3% increase in total 2011 sales, according to a recent survey by BDO USA. While the number reflects the study’s most optimistic sales forecast since 2007, it is down from the 4.7% sales increase reported by the Commerce Department in 2010.

Mahwah, N.J. -- North American furniture and home accessories retailer Design Within Reach has selected TD Retail Card Services to develop and administer its private label credit card for its locations in the United States.

Under the agreement, the Mahwah, N.J.-based business unit of TD Bank, N.A., will direct all facets of the program for the retailer's 43 Studio locations.

The new Design Within Reach credit card will offer consumers a full menu of deferred interest and equal pay programs.

New York City -- Retailers should expect small gains in 2011 holiday sales, Deloitte forecast on Monday. The company’s retail & distribution practice expects total holiday sales to reach between $873 and $877 billion, representing a 2.5 to 3% increase over last season.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target's entry into Canada is nearing completion, as the company Friday finalized its real estate transaction with Zellers Inc. with the selection of 84 additional Zellers leases, bringing the total number of leases selected, including an initial group of 105 leases selected in May, to 189. From this second group, Target has acquired the leasehold interests for 29 locations, the vast majority of which will open as Target stores beginning in 2013. The remaining leases have been or will be sold to other Canadian retailers or back to landlords.