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Diversity & Inclusion

  • Coffee giant veteran named associate advocacy lead

    Starbucks associates have a new leader to advocate for their labor needs and well-being.   Lucy Helm was named chief partner officer, a role she has been serving on an interim basis. As the chief partner lead she will head up the company’s Partner Resources Organization (PRO), an internal group that advocates for Starbucks associates across the enterprise worldwide, whether they work in the store, support center or Starbucks manufacturing plants.  

  • Walmart looks to help others with women's empowerment

    Walmart has launched a digital platform to share tips and learnings that grew out of its five-year Women's Economic Empowerment Initiative.     As part of the ambitious initiative, which Walmart completed in January, the chain sourced $20 billion from Women Owned Businesses (WOBs) for its U.S. business, increased sourcing from WOBs internationally, and trained more than 1 million women worldwide.  

  • Two California grocers to merge; more stores planned

    Two Hispanic supermarket chains are merging with an eye to extending their footprint beyond their home base.    Private equity firm KKR announced it is combining Cardenas Markets and Mi Pueblo, which KKR (and Victory Park Capital) acquired at the end of last year. The combined business will operate as Cardenas Markets LLC and will become one of the largest Hispanic supermarket chains in the country.   

  • CBL taps Alan Lebovitz for key management role

    CBL has named Alan Lebovitz senior VP of management to succeed Jerry Sink, who has retired after a 25-year career at the company. Lebovitz will oversee the staff and operations at the company’s 123 properties, a responsibility that encompasses some 300 employees and 77 million sq. ft. of retail.  

  • Winn-Dixie Case Puts Spotlight on Website Accessibility/Compliance

    A much-anticipated ruling on website accessibility has been issued out of the Southern District of Florida. The ruling in Juan Carlos Gil v. Winn-Dixie Stores (case no. 16-23020-civ-Scola; S.D. FL 2017) requires the attention of businesses across the country that host websites.    

  • Regulatory Wrap-Up: Where state and national policy impact retail

    Wages

    California: A state overtime pay bill that matches the salary threshold of the Obama administration’s overtime regulation at $47,476 passed the Assembly and now heads to the Senate. The federal regulation is currently on hold due to a court injunction and Labor Secretary Acosta is expected to rescind the rule. New York recently instituted an overtime rate at a similar level.

  • West Elm to make Phoenix debut

    West Elm is adding to its growing retail footprint.   The home furnishings and decor brand, a division of Williams-Sonoma, will open its first location in Phoenix, in the revitalized Uptown Plaza shopping center, on June 29. The 11,000-sq.-ft. store will include a curated assortment of local products highlighting 10 Arizona-based makers and designers.   

  • Home goods retailer turned hotel operator adds new location

    West Elm has announced the newest location for its fledgling West Elm Hotels portfolio.   The company, a division of Williams-Sonoma, is teaming up with Signature Development Group and Jordan Real Estate Investments to develop a hotel in Oakland, Calif. Expected to open in 2020, the hotel will be located in Oakland’s Uptown neighborhood, and will celebrate the rich diversity and history of the location.   
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