Diversity & Inclusion

SAN FRANCISCO — Staples charitable arm, Staples Foundation, has partnered with The Hispanic Scholarship Fund to expand educational outreach and scholarship opportunities for Hispanic students and their families. As part of this partnership, Staples Foundation is awarding a $100,000 grant to fund community outreach programming and 22 Staples scholarships for Latino college students majoring in business, according to the company. This is the first partnership between HSF and Staples

CINCINNATI — Kroger has announced the promotion of Joe Fey as president of the Quality Food Centers (QFC) division.

Fey, 57, has been VP merchandising for the company's Michigan division. He succeeds Donna Giordano, who was recently promoted to president of the Ralphs division in California.

The retail world will lose one of its most colorful and respected CEOs when Costco Wholesale Club co-founder and chief executive Jim Sinegal steps down on January 1, 2012. Among retailers, Sinegal stands out for offering proof positive that a business could be good to its employees and customers and still make a hefty profit.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart U.S. President and CEO Bill Simon addressed attendees at the American Legion's 93rd National Convention on Wednesday, telling fellow Americans, veterans and Legionnaires that Walmart would create jobs in the U.S. by hiring more than 15,000 people to work in about 100 new and expanded Walmart stores by fiscal year's end.

Issaquah, Wash. -- Jim Sinegal, the much-admired CEO and co-founder of Costco Wholesale Corp., plans to step down effective Jan. 1. The chain said its board has elected the company's current president and COO, Craig Jelinek, to succeed Sinegal.

“Costco has a very strong culture and a deep bench of management talent," said Sinegal. "I have total confidence in Craig's ability to handle his new responsibilities and feel we are fortunate as a company to have an executive of his caliber to succeed me as chief executive of Costco."

Bentonville, Ark. -- Walmart U.S. President and CEO Bill Simon addressed attendees at the American Legion's 93rd National Convention on Wednesday, telling fellow Americans, veterans and Legionnaires that Walmart would create jobs in the U.S. by hiring more than 15,000 people to work in about 100 new and expanded Walmart stores by fiscal year's end.

Dallas -- SRS Real Estate Partners has announced the hiring of Jon Switzer as an associate in the Austin/San Antonio office.

Switzer will specialize in landlord representation, tenant representation, and be a part of the new SRS Urban team.
 

Lowe's has announced a restructuring in both in-store operations and merchandising organizations that will thin the ranks of its management and consolidate both its regions and divisions.

Lowe's merchants have been reorganized into two product divisions, each led by a senior VP/general merchandising manager. Both will report to executive VP merchandising Robert Gfeller Jr. 

Troy Dally, previously SVP/GMM hardlines/building products, will lead the new building and outdoor products division.