Labor & Employment

Pleasanton, Calif. -- Safeway Inc. said Wednesday it has appointed Al Duran to president of the company's Denver Division. He replaces Scott Grimmett, who is leaving Safeway for another opportunity.

Duran joined Safeway's Denver Division in 1979, and worked his way through the company's ranks including senior retail operations and marketing positions in the Safeway's Phoenix and Dominick's divisions. He joined Safeway's corporate team in 2009 as VP retail initiatives.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway on Tuesday named Al Duran to the role of president of the company's Denver division. He replaces Scott Grimmett, who is leaving Safeway for an opportunity with a noncompeting food retailer, the company stated.

"Al's results-oriented leadership style and experience on both the retail and the marketing side of our business will serve him well in his new assignment," Safeway chairman, president and CEO Steve Burd said. "He is also a Colorado native and knows that market well."

Wal-Mart Stores' Mexican subsidiary, Walmex, is now part of the Mexican Stock Exchange's newly created Sustainable Index, the company reported. 

Minneapolis -- Christopher & Banks Corp. said Wednesday it has named Joel N. Waller as president for a one-year term, effective immediately. He will report to Larry Barenbaum, CEO.

Waller, who is charged with revitalizing the business and putting the company back on track to profitability, was most recently a consultant to various retail companies, including AM Retail Group, Inc./Wilsons Leather. He served as CEO of Wet Seal from 2005 to 2008, and as chairman and CEO of Wilsons Leather before that.

New York City -- Wal-Mart Stores spent $1.49 million on lobbying in the third quarter on a wide range of issues including food safety, nutritional labeling and corporate tax reform, according to a recent disclosure report.

The total is the same as the $1.49 million the discounter spent in second quarter 2011.
 

The commute into downtown Minneapolis should get a little easier in the coming years, as Target is set to relocate nearly 4,000 technology-related workers from its headquarters to a new office in the Northern suburb of Brooklyn Park.

According to the Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal, the transition of about 2,400 technology team members and 1,500 contract workers will begin next year. To read more, click here. 

West Chester, Pa. -- QVC announced Monday that Beth Rubino has been promoted to executive VP human resources and workplace services, reporting to QVC president and CEO Mike George.

Rubino was previously senior VP human resources and workplace services.

In addition to her global human resources role, Rubino will continue to oversee QVC's corporate communications, as well as its community affairs programs and corporate social responsibility efforts.
 

Deerfield, Ill. -- Cosi announced the appointment of Carin L. Stutz as the company's new CEO and president beginning Jan.1. She also will join the Cosi board of directors.

Stutz, 55, joins Cosi from Brinker International, where she was president of global business development, leading all aspects of franchise development and operations for 240 Chili's and Maggiano's restaurants around the globe.