Content about Canada

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — Unger Global has appointed William D. Ecker as its new CEO.

PORTLAND, Ore. — Columbia Sportswear Company has appointed Shawn Cox as SVP of retail, a newly created position that will report directly to president and CEO Tim Boyle.

In his new role, Cox, 49, will be responsible for leading the company’s brick-and-mortar retail and e-commerce operations in the U.S., Europe and Canada.

Cox has 24 years of experience developing, managing and improving profitability of branded retail networks with operations in the U.S., Europe, South America, Middle East and Asia.

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. — Unilever United States and Canada has achieved 100% zero waste to landfill in all 26 of its manufacturing and non-manufacturing headquarter facilities. Other countries in which Unilever has achieved this milestone include the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, France, Germany and Japan.

Walmart has teamed with Rogers Media to create a new print and digital property called Walmart Live Better that will be distributed for free in Canada.

One million copies of the magazine hit the market this week and the content is also available in a variety of digital formats.

TORONTO, ONTARIO —  The Canadian arm of the United Food and Commercial Workers union has taken aim at Target for its alleged unfair treatment of former Zellers workers.

The union claims that Target, which is converting 189 Zellers stores, is not giving former employees a fair shake in the hiring process and that many have been turned down for employment without reason.

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — As Target's Canadian debut draws near, the company announced that it is opening three pilot stores in Ontario on March 5 at Stone Road in Guelph, Milton Mall Shopping Centre in Milton and Gates of Fergus in Fergus. The three pilot stores are the first Target locations to open in Canada, and the first of 124 Target stores that will open across the country throughout 2013.

BARCELONA — At Mobile World Congress, MasterCard introduced MasterPass, a digital service that allows consumers to use any payment card or enabled device to discover enhanced shopping experiences that are as simple as a click, tap or touch – online, in-store or anywhere.

CHICAGO — Former Sam's Club exec, Linda Hefner Filler, has joined Claire’s Stores, as North America president, effective March 1. She will report to Jim Fielding, CEO.

In her role as resident, Hefner Filler will be responsible for all operational and strategic initiatives for the Claire’s business in the approximately 1,500 Claire’s stores in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

PAWTUCKET, R.I. — Heading into the toy industry's largest trade show next week, toy manufacturer, Hasbro, reported net revenues of $1.28 billion for the fourth quarter of 2012, compared with $1.33 billion in 2011. The company reported net earnings for the quarter of $130.3 million or 99 cents per diluted share.

Net revenues for the full-year 2012 were $4.09 billion compared with $4.29 billion in 2011. 

Net earnings for the full-year 2012 were $336 million, or $2.55 per diluted share, versus $385.4 million, or $2.82 per diluted share, in 2011.

TORONTO — Canadian consumers eager to get their hands on a Target loyalty card can now apply for one. Target Canada announced that pplications for its REDcard products - the Target Debit Card and the Target RBC‡ MasterCard - are now available online at Target.ca/redcard. Guests planning to shop at Target stores in Canada with a REDcard will receive an additional 5% off Target's already low prices, applied instantly at the time of purchase.

TORONTO — Most retailers in Canada are ready for a phase-out of one-cent coins, a national retailing trade group said Wednesday.

The Retail Council of Canada said the majority of the country's retail businesses were prepared for the disappearance of the penny and will follow the government's proposals for determining prices.