News

Delray Beach, Fla. -- Starboard Value disclosed on Monday that it has taken a 13.3% stake in Office Depot. According to a report by Reuters, the activist hedge fund now becomes the office supply retailer’s biggest shareholder.

In a letter to Office Depot CEO Neil Austrian, Starboard CEO Jeffrey Smith called for lowering expenses to improve performance.

Bellevue, Wash. -- Eddie Bauer LLC said Monday it has named Daniel E. Templin as COO and CFO of the company.

Templin was previously CFO for VF Outdoor, which includes brands such as The North Face, Vans, JanSport and Timberland.

Eddie Bauer also announced that current CFO Marv Toland will move into the newly created role of senior VP Direct with responsibility for the brand's e-commerce and catalog businesses.

Former VF Outdoor CFO Dan Templin has joined Eddie Bauer as COO and CFO.

With the addition of Templin, current Eddie Bauer CFO Marv Toland was named to the newly created role of SVP of direct with responsibility for the brand’s e-commerce and catalog businesses.

Eddie Bauer CEO Mike Egeck characterized Templin as a seasoned outdoor industry executive whose responsibilities at VF Outdoor, with leading brands such as The North Face, Vans, JanSport and Timberland, will benefit Eddie Bauer.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens over the weekend officially launched its customer loyalty program, which since Sept. 6 has garnered more than 1 million customers during an online-only, early-enrollment period.

“Our loyalty program is distinctive,” stated Graham Atkinson, Walgreens SVP and chief customer experience officer. “This comprehensive rewards program is one of Walgreens largest and most important programs in company history."

Balance Rewards offers three key benefits, all customized for the consumer:

ITASCA, Ill. — Jewel-Osco on Friday announced that the company is observing Hunger Action Month this September with an aggressive campaign to raise food and funds for food banks and food pantries in the retailer's service area.

Minneapolis -- A filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission revealed that Best Buy Inc. CEO Hubert Joly has sold $1.19 million worth of shares of common stock of the company.
 
Joly sold 65,796 shares at a price of $18.02 per share, according to the SEC filing. According to Best Buy, the stock sale was made to cover taxes associated with stock grants.

Zug, Switzerland -- Swiss drugstore chain Alliance Boots said Monday it has acquired a 12% stake in Chinese pharmaceutical wholesaler Nanjing Pharmaceutical Co. for $88.5 million.

The deal follows Walgreen Co.’s $7 billion investment in Alliance Boots in a move to expand into China.

Alliance Boots runs the largest drugstore chain in the United Kingdom.

Walgreen’s initial plan is to acquire about 45% of Alliance Boots with an option to buy the rest of the company in three years.

Brad Anderson was named to the board of LightHaus, a provider of shopper insights based on video analytics.