Diversity & Inclusion

The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists “retail salesperson” as the most common job in America, but the retail industry is evolving rapidly as is the nature of work. A new $5.5 million research grant from Walmart and the Aspen Institute aims to understand how.

The largest portion of the grant is dedicated to exploring alternative models to provide career pathways for frontline retail workers, according to a statement from Walmart and the Aspen Institute, an organization known for pioneering new approaches to complex problems.

PayPal announced it is cancelling plans to open a new operations center in North Carolina after the state passed a law that many see as restricting protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. The news comes as leaders of the High Point Market, the largest furnishings industry trade show in the world, warned that “hundreds and perhaps thousands” of customers will not attend the Market, held in High Point, North Carolina in April, due to their opposition to the new law. The Market attracts retailers, designers, suppliers and manufacturers.

For about three hours the morning of April 4 it looked like Christopher & Banks had found itself a new board member, but then the company discovered a conflict that prevented the high level executive from accepting the nomination.

Longtime Walmart executive Tom Coughlin, an inspirational leader who played a key role in Walmart’s growth and left the company in 2005, passed away on April 1.

American Eagle Outfitters is launching another viral marketing campaign, this time with a funny focus on the fight against the body shaming of men.

The retailer is kicking off its #AerieMAN campaign, featuring a mix of quirky male characters of different sizes and personalities sharing "real life" stories in their skivvies. American Eagle's Skinny Skinny Jean and American Beagle Outfitters campaigns were huge successes in 2013 and 2014. Now the brand is focused on raising awareness around body diversity.

For many business owners, the ongoing feud for control of the Republican Party has largely come, unfortunately, at their expense.

Over the last 10 years or so we have witnessed the balance of power within the party shift from economic conservatives and the business community - to social conservatives and the interest groups that serve them. I have labeled this fight as one between the "suits" and the "boots." Over the last two election cycles, the boots have clearly demonstrated that they are in charge.

The plus-size market is being reenergized by a new demographic.

Teenage females in the United States are changing when it comes to the types of clothing sizes they are purchasing, according to the 2015 Women’s Special Sizes Study from The NPD Group.

As it moves to distance itself from the turbulence that marked its past two years, American Apparel Inc. has named three apparel industry executives to its revamped board of directors.

The retailer, which emerged from bankruptcy protection in February, appointed Paul R. Charron, former CEO of Liz Claiborne, as chairman, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The Children’s Place has appointed an expert in financial auditing to its board.

The compay said John E. (“Jeb”) Bachman has been named to the company’s board of directors, effective immediately. Bachman will serve as an independent Class I Director and will stand for election at the 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Bachman will serve on the audit committee.