Content about Geography of the United States

May 21, 2013
Kohl’s donates $1.5m to Wis. children’s hospital

Kohl’s has donated $1.5 million to Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin on behalf of Kohl’s Cares, the company’s philanthropic arm.

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. — Kohl’s has donated $1.5 million to Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin on behalf of Kohl’s Cares, the company’s philanthropic arm. 

The money will fund the Kohl’s Cares Grow Safe & Healthy program designed to make Wisconsin kids and families aware of safety risks in and out of their homes, and the necessary steps to help avoid injury. The $1.5 million gift represents the largest corporate donation to Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin this year.

May 17, 2013
SC Johnson CEO hailed champion of literacy

Fisk Johnson, SC Johnson's chairman and CEO, has been named "Friend of the Library" by the Racine Public Library. Johnson received the award for sponsoring the Racine Reads: Dream Big! program during the 2011-2012 school year.

RACINE, Wis. — Fisk Johnson, SC Johnson's chairman and CEO, has been named "Friend of the Library" by the Racine Public Library. Johnson received the award for sponsoring the Racine Reads: Dream Big! program during the 2011-2012 school year. 

The program challenged 10,000 local elementary school students to read 1 million books during the school year — an average of 100 books per child. Students rose to the challenge, by more than quadrupling the national average, by reading 180 books per student and 1.8 million books in total. 

May 7, 2013
Chico's names new board member

Chico's FAS, a women's specialty retailer of private-branded apparel, intimates and accessories, has appointed McDonald’s executive Janice L. Fields to its board of directors.

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Chico's FAS, a women's specialty retailer of private-branded apparel, intimates and accessories, has appointed McDonald’s executive Janice L. Fields to its board of directors.

Her appointment brings the total number of board seats to nine. Fields was also appointed to the board's corporate governance and nominating committee.

May 7, 2013
Little Debbie gets first makeover since 1985

McKee Foods, the makers of Little Debbie Snacks, unveiled a new Little Debbie logo, the third version of the logo since the brand was introduced in 1960.

COLLEGEDALE, Tenn. — McKee Foods, the makers of Little Debbie Snacks, unveiled a new Little Debbie logo, the third version of the logo since the brand was introduced in 1960.

Consumers can expect to see the revamped logo on Little Debbie cartons throughout the coming months. Based on current sales, the redesigned logo will appear on more than 800 million Little Debbie cartons annually.

May 1, 2013
Spectrum thinks over repositioning manufacturing

During the Spectrum Brands second-quarter earnings call, the Madison, Wis.-based company showed interest in bringing back some offshore production.

During the Spectrum Brands second-quarter earnings call, the Madison, Wis.-based company showed interest in bringing back some offshore production. 
 
Responding to a question about the rising costs of wages and freight for overseas small appliance manufacturing, Spectrum Brands CEO David Lumley said: “We are looking at that.”
 
He added that a first opportunity might be for North America manufacturing — Mexico or the Caribbean.

April 23, 2013
Tacoma Screw Products launches Web store

Tacoma, Wash.-based Tacoma Screw Products is turning to e-commerce to reach more customers with the launch of a new Web store.

Tacoma, Wash.-based Tacoma Screw Products is turning to e-commerce to reach more customers with the launch of a new Web store.

TacomaScrew.com offers access to all of the company’s inventory, as well as free shipping and next-door delivery (in most cases) to any of the 16 branch store locations. The company says the site also offers the ability to see real-time inventory at all branch stores.

Orders are shipped on the same day, if the order is received by 4 p.m. PST.

April 19, 2013
JCP rehires company veteran, scores latest court victory

The revolving door continues to turn at Penney with the news that Ron Johnson-appointee Nick Wooster, SVP of product and design is out while company veteran Ken Mangone has returned to the fold.

NEW YORK — The revolving door continues to turn at Penney with the news that Ron Johnson-appointee Nick Wooster, SVP of product and design is out while company veteran Ken Mangone has returned to the fold. 

Mangone, who left Penney last December after 35 years with the company, is returning to his previous post as EVP of product development, design and sourcing. His return is one of new CEO Myron Ullman’s first major moves in personnel.

April 18, 2013
Q1 results paint pretty picture for Sherwin-Williams

Cleveland-based Sherwin-Williams Co. reported a sales increase of 1.4% in the first quarter ended March 31, thanks to higher volume in the Paint Stores Group.

Cleveland-based Sherwin-Williams Co. reported a sales increase of 1.4% in the first quarter ended March 31, thanks to higher volume in the Paint Stores Group.

Net income increased 16% to $116.2 million.

The company's consolidated net sales increased 1.4% to $2.17 billion. The Paint Stores Group saw sales increase 4.0% to $1.17 billion in the quarter. The company pointed to higher architectural paint sales volume across all end-market segments. Comp-store sales for paint stores increased 3.2%.

April 16, 2013
Jo-Ann brings a bit of OSU campus into stores

Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores has added The Ohio State University to its assortment of exclusively licensed collegiate fabrics.

HUDSON, Ohio — Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores has added The Ohio State University to its assortment of exclusively licensed collegiate fabrics.

“We are thrilled to offer fans of The Ohio State University this exclusive-to-Jo-Ann line of fleece and cotton fabrics,” said Susan Starcher, buyer of fleece, warm and licensed fabric for Jo-Ann. “Our customers love to show their school spirit, and no other retailer offers a more diverse selection of college and university fabrics than Jo-Ann.”

April 11, 2013
Kroger oversees massive charitable initiative in Louisville

Kroger on Thursday announced plans to bring together more than 4,800 associates at the Kentucky Exposition Center on April 16 to assemble an estimated 17,000 emergency food and personal care boxes for the metro community of Louisville, Ky.

CINCINNATI — Kroger on Thursday announced plans to bring together more than 4,800 associates at the Kentucky Exposition Center on April 16 to assemble an estimated 17,000 emergency food and personal care boxes for the metro community of Louisville, Ky.

April 5, 2013
True Value posts gains in Q4

True Value reported “gross billings” of $451.9 million for the fourth quarter, up 2.3% from the same quarter last year.

CHICAGO — True Value reported “gross billings” of $451.9 million for the fourth quarter, up 2.3% from the same quarter last year.

“Gross billings” -- a term not used in the co-op’s 2012 earnings announcement -- is a measure of the total amount invoiced to customers, without subtracting discounts or adjustments.

The company’s revenue was $340.4 million, up 3.3% from the prior-year quarter.

April 4, 2013
P&G to sponsor Hispanic trends event

Hispanicize 2013, the annual Latino trends event, has announced Procter & Gamble as the official presenting sponsor for this year's event taking place in Miami Beach from April 9 to 13.

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — Hispanicize 2013, the annual Latino trends event, has announced Procter & Gamble as the official presenting sponsor for this year's event taking place in Miami Beach from April 9 to 13. This is P&G's first year as the presenting sponsor of the Hispanicize event.

April 4, 2013
Revionics names SVP global business development

Revionics, a provider of end-to-end merchandise optimization solutions, that it has named John Greenfield as SVP global business development.

ROSEVILLE, Calif. — Revionics, a provider of end-to-end merchandise optimization solutions, that it has named John Greenfield as SVP global business development. Greenfield has been successfully serving as Revionics’ VP channels and alliances. In his new role, Greenfield will be responsible for identifying, creating, and growing strategic global partnerships and alliances that will support accelerated revenue growth for the company.

March 27, 2013
Sprouts Farmers Market comes to Houston area

Sprouts Farmers Market, an independent natural foods grocery store chain, opened its first Houston-area store today.

Houston — Sprouts Farmers Market, an independent natural foods grocery store chain, opened its first Houston-area store today.

The 25,300-sq.-ft. store opened at the southwest corner of Cinco Ranch Boulevard and Peek Road in Katy, Texas. The store will sell farm-fresh produce and thousands of natural, organic and mainstream food items at an affordable price point.

March 21, 2013
Office Depot honored for working with women-owned businesses

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Office Depot was named to the 2012 list of America’s Top Corporations for Women’s Business Enterprises by Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). This marks the eleventh year that Office Depot has been included on the selective list.

March 18, 2013
Costco reportedly to expand HQ

Costco Wholesale Corp. will expand its Issaquah, Wash., headquarters, according to a regional news reports.

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Costco Wholesale Corp. will expand its Issaquah, Wash., headquarters, according to a regional news reports.

According to the Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce, Issaquah's director of economic development, Keith Niven, said the club retailer would expand the headquarters to take up as much as 1.5 million square feet.

 The Tacoma, Wash., News Tribune reported that the company currently takes up three buildings that are full.

March 18, 2013
Keds steps out on tour with Taylor Swift

Keds has announced its sponsorship of seven-time Grammy winning, multi-platinum singer-songwriter and style icon Taylor Swift's North American RED Tour, kicking-off on March 13 in Omaha, Nebraska and continuing through September.

LEXINGTON, Mass. — Keds has announced its sponsorship of seven-time Grammy winning, multi-platinum singer-songwriter and style icon Taylor Swift's North American RED Tour, kicking-off on March 13 in Omaha, Nebraska and continuing through September. To celebrate, Keds is releasing a limited edition Champion sneaker featuring the names of each city on the tour.

March 18, 2013
Promotions announced at Easton Sports

Easton-Bell Sports, a designer, developer and marketer of innovative sports equipment and accessories under the Easton, Bell, Giro, Riddell and Blackburn brands, has announced the following key executive appointments and promotions at Easton Sports:

VAN NUYS, Calif. — Easton-Bell Sports, a designer, developer and marketer of innovative sports equipment and accessories under the Easton, Bell, Giro, Riddell and Blackburn brands, has announced the following key executive appointments and promotions at Easton Sports:

March 7, 2013
Things get steamy with Black & Decker mops

Towson, Md.-based Black & Decker introduced four new models of germ-killing steam cleaning units.

The units use water to kill 99.9% of germs to achieve a deep down clean, according to the company. 

February 22, 2013
Nebraska academic joins Kellogg board

Kellogg Company has elected Cynthia H. Milligan, dean emeritus of the College of Business Administration at University of Nebraska-Lincoln and trustee of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, to its board of directors effective Feb. 22, 2013.

BATTLE CREEK, Mich. — Kellogg Company has elected Cynthia H. Milligan, dean emeritus of the College of Business Administration at University of Nebraska-Lincoln and trustee of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, to its board of directors effective Feb. 22, 2013. 

"We are very pleased to welcome Cynthia to our board," said Chairman Jim Jenness. "Cynthia's business acumen and financial experience will be a great asset to our company." 

February 12, 2013
Lowe's, Rebuilding Together partner to repair Phoenix homes

Rebuilding Together has teamed up with Lowe's through its Community Partners program to provide free home repairs to four low-income homeowners and to support the Friendly House in the Central City neighborhood of Phoenix on Feb. 20 and 21.

Rebuilding Together has teamed up with Lowe's through its Community Partners program to provide free home repairs to four low-income homeowners and to support the Friendly House in the Central City neighborhood of Phoenix on Feb. 20 and 21.

In its six years of partnering with Rebuilding Together, Lowe's has donated $7 million and completed 958 projects across the country.

More than 100 Lowe's Heroes employee volunteers from area Lowe's stores will team with Rebuilding Together Valley of the Sun.

February 12, 2013
Shopping mall developer announces promotions

CBL & Associates Properties has announced the promotions of Gary Roddy to VP collections, Tricia Tweedie to VP billings and Jim Ward to VP branding.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- CBL & Associates Properties has announced the promotions of Gary Roddy to VP collections, Tricia Tweedie to VP billings and Jim Ward to VP branding.

Commenting on the promotions, CBL’s president, Stephen Lebovitz said, “These individuals have established themselves as leaders within CBL in their respective fields and the shopping center industry. We are pleased to recognize their accomplishments and significant contributions to the company with these promotions.”

February 12, 2013
Stage Stores consolidates operations to boost efficiency

Stage Stores is consolidating its South Hill, Virginia regional operations into its Houston, Texas corporate headquarters, in an effort to increase efficiency, create synergies, reduce expenses and enhance growth.

HOUSTON — Stage Stores is consolidating its South Hill, Virginia regional operations into its Houston, Texas corporate headquarters, in an effort to increase efficiency, create synergies, reduce expenses and enhance growth.

February 11, 2013
CVS names head of digital initiatives

CVS Caremark has announced the appointment of former Staples executive Brian Tilzer as SVP chief digital officer.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark has announced the appointment of former Staples executive Brian Tilzer as SVP chief digital officer.

In his new role, Tilzer will develop and lead teams driving CVS Caremark's company-wide digital innovation efforts and will focus on connecting current and future digital initiatives.

February 8, 2013
Skullcandy founder resumes CEO role

Skullcandy, a manufacturer of performance headphones, has named Rick Alden, the company's founder, former CEO and a current director, as Interim CEO.

PARK CITY, Utah -- Skullcandy, a manufacturer of performance headphones, has named Rick Alden, the company's founder, former CEO and a current director, as Interim CEO. Jeremy Andrus has decided to step down from his positions as resident and CEO and a company director to join a private investment firm. He will serve as a consultant to the company over the next 12 months.