Content about Illinois

NAPERVILLE, Ill. — OfficeMax Workplace, the U.S. business-to-business division of OfficeMax, has expanded its IT Lifecycle Management Services to help customers streamline their technology work environments. 

The company has added HP Networking solutions to its portfolio, which also includes technology offerings from Motorola and Cisco. The move provides organizations with more options to modernize their wireless and wired networks, increase productivity, unify digital communications and grow their networking capacity. 

PHILADELPHIA — Teen discounter Five Below increased its first quarter profit forecast as sales for the period increased 33% to $95.6 million and same store sales advanced 4.2%.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Senate approved the long-debated Internet sales tax proposal, known as the Marketplace Fairness Act, by a bipartisan vote of 69 to 27. The Obama administration has already endorsed the bill, but before it can become law it must be approved by the House, where Republicans are split on the bill.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark announced that it was among several national companies represented at an event hosted on Tuesday by President Obama, VP Joe Biden, First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden as part of the Joining Forces initiative.
 
During the event, the administration asked companies participating in the Joining Forces initiative to hire and train 435,000 veterans and military spouses over the next five years, after nearly tripling its original goal of hiring 100,000 veterans and military spouses by the end of 2013.

ATLANTA — Supply chain solutions company Predictix has appointed Ronald P. Menich, Ph.D., as its new EVP and chief scientist. 

Predictix provides retailers and brands with platforms and tools that enable them to drive competitive advantage and market differentiation. 

NORTHFIELD, Ill. — Kool-Aid’s latest brand campaign, called "Smile. It's Kool-Aid," introduces a new look and feel for the brand as well as for its spokespitcher, Kool-Aid Man, in time for its launch of Kool-Aid Liquid Drink Mix.

Owned by Kraft Foods Group, North America's fourth largest consumer packaged food and beverage company, Kool-Aid partnered with Saatchi & Saatchi New York and VSA Partners of Chicago to revamp its image. 

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. — KitchenAid is partnering with Abt Electronics in Glenview, Ill. to kick off Earth Week and encourage the responsible disposal of unwanted small electric kitchen appliances. From April 18 through May 16, Abt customers will receive an instant rebate toward the purchase of a new KitchenAid small appliance when they bring in any brand of small electric kitchen appliances to the store.  

NAPERVILLE, Ill. -- OfficeMax Inc. has unveiled a new format in downtown Milwaukee to better serve local small business customers.

The 5,000-sq.-ft. OfficeMax Business Solutions Center OfficeMax Business Solutions Center is located in The Shops of Grand Avenue. The new format replaces the previous OfficeMax store.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores has elected James Gooch to its board of directors and as chair of the audit committee of the board of directors.

OAK BROOK, Ill. — Ace Hardware Corp. posted fiscal 2012 revenues of $3.8 billion, up 3.6% from the previous year. 

The co-op’s net income of $81.8 million increased 5.3% for the year.

“We are very pleased with our fiscal 2012 results as revenues and net income were both higher than last year and our plan,” said Ray Griffith, Ace CEO, who will be replaced by John Venhuizen as CEO, effective March 31.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart President and CEO Mike Duke introduced First Lady Michelle Obama at the Business Roundtable Wednesday with the following remarks:

"We are pleased to be joined by our guest today, First Lady Michelle Obama.  Mrs. Obama speaks movingly about the service, strength, and sacrifice of our current generation of troops, veterans, and military families.  It is a personal privilege to share some of her work and to start our discussion around creating opportunity for this new group of heroes.

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. -- Kohl’s simultaneously opened nine new stores in seven states, bringing the retailer’s total store count to 1,155.

Stores open Wednesday in Decatur, Ala., Danville, Ill., Ames, Iowa, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Minot, N.D., Sherwood, Ore., Hermitage, Pa., Spring Township, Pa. and Denton, Texas.

“As Kohl’s continues to grow, investing in our stores remains a priority,” said Kevin Mansell, president and CEO.

Mansell added that the chain will also remodel 30 locations in 2013.