Labor & Employment

LAKELAND, Fla. — Publix Super Markets has promoted Kelly Williams-Puccio to executive director of Publix Super Markets Charities.

In her new position, Williams-Puccio will be responsible for the strategic direction of the foundation, managing foundation giving policies and processes and maintaining the charitable legacy of company founder, George Jenkins.

SUNBURY, Pa. — Weis Markets on Monday reported an increase in 2011 sales of 5% to $2.8 billion.

Weis said its comparable sales for the calendar year also were up, increasing 4.2% for 2011, compared with the year-ago period.

SUNBURY, Pa. — Weis Markets on Monday announced it has entered into an agreement to purchase three Pennsylvania-based Genuardi's stores from Safeway.

"We're extremely pleased to be adding these stores to our store base," Weis Markets president and CEO David Hepfinger said. "We look forward to serving these communities as the lead local merchant as we have in 33 counties throughout central, eastern and Northeastern Pennsylvania. We will also be reaching out to the associates of these stores to discuss employment with our company."

Target is looking to get ahead of the curve in major media markets by placing communications executives in such places as Dallas, Los Angeles, New York and Toronto in addition to those at the Minneapolis home office, Ad Age reported on Monday.

AUSTIN, Texas — Whole Foods has promoted two of its regional presidents to new roles.

Austin, Texas -- Whole Foods Market announced that two regional presidents, David Lannon and Ken Meyer, have been promoted to executive VPs of operations, joining the executive leadership team. The company's 12 regional presidents will report to them.

New York City -- J.C. Penney has dropped its plans to open a store in the Kress Building downtown Seattle, according to The Seattle Times.

The chain signed a lease last May for two-thirds of the building, but the space is now being shopped around for sublease, the report said.

"This had nothing to do with Seattle or the location. The timing just did not match up with their new CEO," Seattle Pacific Realty broker Elizabeth Best, who is representing J.C. Penney in its search for a sublease tenant, said in the report.

AUSTIN, Texas — Michael Besancon, senior global VP purchasing, distribution and communications for Whole Foods Market, will retire from the company after more than 17 years of service.