It turns out that angry consumers aren't the only ones that American retailers need to worry about. In a joint statement published Thursday, a group of investors sought out to express their dissatisfaction with US retailers that have refused to sign the Bangladesh fire and safety agreement.

The release, undersigned by Amalgamated Bank Longview Funds and 14 others said, "We expect companies in our portfolios to ensure the integrity of their supply chains." The group, which reportedly holds a combined $1.35 trillion in assets, called out both Walmart and Gap, two major US retailers who spoke out against the accord, advising them to act swiftly and effectively in agreeance with the legally-binding proposal, which was signed by over 30 international companies by its May 15 deadline. 

The response is a reaction to the late-April factory collapse in Savar, Bangladesh that has now claimed over 1,120 lives. The accord, which is a version of a previously proposed agreement that was in effect turned down by several US retailers in 2011, hopes to protect the millions of Bangladeshi people that work in the country's 5,000 garment factories, for as little as $38 per month. The industry, now the second largest garment producer next to China, has seen a surge in recent years, resulting in the creation of faulty building sites and poor labor conditions. The circumstances surrounding the collapse of the Rana Plaza factory highlight the shortcomings of an industry built on loose ethics and fast, inexpensive turnaround. While the agreement looks to enforce independent building inspections and fire and safety training, it also hopes to create a more open administrative atmosphere for workers to present their concerns.Continue reading...

Honda has the best brand image, according to a Kelly Blue Book study.

FDA abandons graphic cigarette warning labels in favor of new approach.

NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg launches $12 million ad campaign against the NRA.

Amazon is the most visited online retailer in Europe.

Boeing's Dreamliner completes first flight test since being grounded.

With 1 million users, Fitocracy users are more engaged than any social network besides Facebook.

GQ allows users to personalize its iPad app with MyGQ technology.Continue reading...

Private label products, also known as store brands, have never enjoyed so much popularity. Years ago, generic products were seen as inferior and dull, but today, economic conditions and a distinct improvement in product quality have given private labels a new desirability.

In the U.S., store brands are thriving. A recent study of 500 U.S. consumers conducted by the management consulting company Accenture shows that 64 percent of shoppers' grocery carts were at least half full of store brands — and 39 percent said they've bought more store brands in recent years.

That trend is not limited to the United States. A new report from IBISWorld, Australia's largest provider of industry-based research, notes that private labels will account for over 30 percent of supermarket sales in Australia by 2017-18.Continue reading...

Best Buy, JPMorgan, Yahoo CEO stumbles put ethics and mismanagement in the spotlight. JPMorgan closes ranks around embattled CEO Jamie Dimon as mega-loss is probed; and Yahoo's interim CEO Ross Levinsohn reportedly close to getting role permanently.

Amazon reportedly prepping front-lit Kindle for July.

Facebook eyes historic $12 billion to $15 billion IPO windfall and up to $104 billion valuation.

Activision Blizzard goes back to the future for new games.

Apple plans iCloud upgrade, and thinner laptops with Intel chips.

Baidu enters China's crowded low-cost smartphone market.

BMW touts "ultimate service" in new campaign.

Budweiser strikes deal with Jay-Z for annual concert.Continue reading...

We've reported numerous times about the rise of the private label or store brand throughout the U.S. and worldwide. Fueled by economic conditions, store brands have increased in popularity, offering shoppers lower priced alternatives and causing concern for name brand marketers. More and more, private labels are taking on global appeal as stores grab a larger share of shelf space for their own brands.

Now the Land Down Under may become overwhelmed with private labels, according to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald. Already a hotbed of store brands, Australia could well be inundated by its two largest supermarket chains, Coles and Woolworths, who have both applied for hundreds of trademarks with the country's IP Australia, the government agency administering intellectual property rights.Continue reading...

* SABMiller and Asahi are eyeing Fosters (sending shares higher), but no formal bids have been placed.

* Morgan Stanley is the first Wall Street firm to offer research-on-the-go via Apple's app store.

* PepsiCo tries to rekindle demand for its Pepsi Max low-calorie brand.

* Tesco tests UK's first drive-through supermarket.

* UBS features astronaut Neil Armstrong, starchitect Zaha Hadid and fast cars in new advertising campaign.

* HP is hoping to outbid Dell for 3Par with today's $1.3 billion bid.

* HSBC is in talks for a $6.8 billion majority stake in South Africa's Nedbank.Continue reading...

It appears the body is still warm. Woolworths’ owners want to revive the brand's place on the high street.

After entering administration last year, Woolworths is ready for a return to brick and mortar operations. Bought by brothers Sir Frederick and Sir David Barclay of Shop Direct, the owners believe the store can now extend beyond its online-only offerings. Of course, they are hoping someone else will do the grunt work, and are looking for franchisees.Continue reading...

GM to present restructuring plan to Opel unions. [NY Times]

German Chancellor Merkel declares GM has repaid its bridge loan. [WSJ]

London's 2012 Olympic logo fails at appealing to youth, incites controversy. [FT]

Wal-Mart's online price war with Amazon heats up, as the box store refuses to cede sales. [NY Times]

Shop Direct may bring UK Woolworths back to the high street with a 200-store chain. [Times of London]

Heinz profits fall 16%. [WSJ]

Stork Craft recalls 2.1 million cribs in the largest crib recall in US history. [NY Times]

(More headlines: Playboy, BBC, paid Twitter, TAG Heuer cellphones).Continue reading...