Content about California

Plans to acquire at least 60 stores from bankrupt Orchard Supply Hardware give Lowe’s an increased presence in California and a new small format with expansion potential.

Lowe’s said early Monday that it had entered into an asset purchase agreement with Orchard, which had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, to acquire the majority of Orchard’s assets for approximately $205 million in cash and assume payables owed to nearly all of Orchard’s supplier partners.

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — Kathy Ireland has been named chief designer for Royal Footwear & Accessories, and is launching her own line of footwear with the company in spring 2015.

Key elements in the collection will include soft footbeds and flex insoles with lightweight outsoles that will incorporate traction technology throughout the footwear brand.

FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif. — The Wet Seal has appointed retail veteran Lesli Gilbert to the position of EVP, stores and operations. She replaces Barbara Cook, who resigned as the company's SVP of store operations in February.

NEW YORK — In commemoration of National LGBTQ Pride month, Macy’s and its employees will participate in 23 Pride parades, hold in-store events nationwide celebrating diversity and offer special merchandise to help support the fight for LGBTQ equality.

PETALUMA, Calif. — Sport Chalet, a full-service specialty sporting goods retailer, will join MarketLive, a provider of e-commerce technology for high-growth merchants, to present a joint case study at the Internet Retailer Conference & Exhibition.

The case study will highlight how Sport Chalet has achieved strong online sales growth by leveraging MarketLive's content management features to create a unique and compelling brand experience for its customers.

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. — Dole Food Company’s board of directors has approved a proposal to update the company’s owned vessel fleet, with the acquisition of three new specialty built refrigerated container ships for its U.S. West Coast operations, costing approximately $165 million, for a phased delivery between 2015 and 2016.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart has pleaded guilty to charges that it inappropriately transported and disposed of common consumer products, such as bleach and fertilizer, while reiterating that the misdemeanor violations of certain environmental laws occurred years ago and had no specific environment impact.

IRVINE, Calif. — Vizio, a supplier of consumer electronics, is launching a Father’s Day contest called "Give Dad Your Best," sponsored in part by Best Buy, M-Go and DreamWorks Animation, in which participants are encouraged to upload to its site a video or photograph celebrating their fathers accompanied by a personal story of appreciation.

SAN DIEGO — Walmart, Sam’s Club and Operation Homefront kicked off their nationwide series Saluting Heroes Together with a community-wide military appreciation event in San Diego on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 18. 

The event was the first in a series of tributes the organizations are hosting across the country to honor men and women who have or are currently serving, as well as their families.

SAN DIEGO — Petco Foundation has appointed CASPCA executive Susanne Kogut as the new executive director of its board of directors. Kogut will replace the foundation's long-time executive director, Paul Jolly, who has led the organization since its inception in 1999.

Kroger plans on putting food waste to good use with a clean energy production system that converts food that cannot be sold or donated into clean energy, which will help power its Ralphs/Food 4 Less distribution center in Compton, Calif.

OAKLAND, Calif. — Global footwear company Deckers Outdoor Corporation, known for its Ugg and Teva brands, has selected the GT Nexus platform to improve supply chain collaboration and visibility. 

The cloud-based platform eliminates manual processes, paper and spreadsheets to streamline supply management processes. It also allows Deckers to monitor the movement of products and payments from order through delivery and settlement.