WALMART

SOUTHPORT, Conn. — DiversityBusiness.com earlier this month named the “Top 50 Organizations for Multicultural Business Opportunities." More than 1.3 million diversity business owners participated in an online election to determine the “Top” 50 organizations. Wal-Mart Stores was named the leading retailer and No. 2 overall for providing business opportunities to diverse business owners throughout the United States. Food, drug and mass retailers Kroger (No. 11), Target (No. 18), Supervalu (No. 23), Walgreens (No. 26) and Ahold USA (No.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Bad weather and a reduction in food stamps led to weaker-than-expected sales at Walmart and Sam’s Club, which — combined with greater than expected international expense — prompted an uncharacteristic preannouncement from the company that fourth quarter profits would be worse than expected.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — The Walmart Foundation, Goodwill Industries International, National Disability Institute and United Way on Monday launched the 2014 MyFreeTaxes program, an initiative offering free online federal and state tax preparation in all 50 states. MyFreeTaxes provides free federal and state tax preparation and filing assistance, both online and in-person, to eligible households earning $58,000 or less a year. 

Target is looking to open a new, smaller — much smaller — store in the base of an apartment building currently under construction near the University of Minnesota campus that will serve as a test for the new format dubbed TargetExpress, the New York Times has reported.

ROGERS, Ark. — Walmart health-and-wellness president John Agwunobi shared wide-ranging thoughts regarding the state of health care in America and ways in which the evolving marketplace is impacting Walmart customers.
 

DENVER — The Walmart Foundation’s Colorado State Giving Program has awarded $321,000 to eight Colorado nonprofits that are helping to fund local programs to improve education, women’s economic empowerment and healthy eating, as well as to fight hunger. The organizations include We Don’t Waste, Lapuente Home, Care and Share, Kids Aid, Project Angel Heart, Women’s Resource Agency, Broadway Assistance Center and Discover Goodwill of Southern and Western Colorado. 

NEW YORK — Coty has announced that Brian Falcone will serve as SVP sales, overseeing all sales activities for Coty Beauty U.S. mass brands.

Falcone will be responsible for field sales, customer marketing, category management, wall strategy and fixture planning.

SPRING LAKE, Mich. — Victory Electronic Cigarettes on Monday announced that Bill Fields, former president and CEO of Walmart stores division, will join its board of directors.