Labor & Employment

Seattle -- Starbucks Coffee U.K. plans to create thousands of new jobs in the United Kingdom as it steps up its drive-thru program following three years of development and strong customer response to the convenience of Starbucks coffee on-the-go.

The move will see 200 new drive-thru stores opened over the next five years. Combined with openings of conventional stores over the same period, the company expects to create 5,000 new jobs.

MONTVALE, N.J. — A&P announced that it has reached an agreement with its labor unions that would help the retailer on its path out of bankruptcy.

Chelmsford, Mass. -- A report released Thursday by Kronos Inc. found that hiring in the retail sector continues to make marked improvements. The Kronos Retail Labor Index, which analyzes the current state of the demand and supply sides of the labor market within the U.S. retail sector, rose to 4.2% in November 2011, from a downwardly revised 3.5% in October. This was the highest reading since October 2008 and the second reading of 4% or higher in the last three months.

Hingham, Mass. -- Talbots Inc. reported Thursday a loss of $22 million for the third quarter, compared with a profit of $17 million in the year-ago period. It was the apparel retailer’s third loss in four quarters. Talbots has posted an annual loss in three of the last four years.

NEW YORK  — Republican and Democrat retail executives both have something to look forward to in 2012 as former presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush are scheduled to speak at major industry events.

Clinton is first up at the National Retail Federation annual convention in New York on Jan.16, while Bush will serve as the keynote speaker at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores annual meeting in Palm Beach, Fla. April 21 to 24. 

Garden City, N.J. -- Sabre Real Estate Group said that Anthony Russo has joined the New York metropolitan area’s newest retail real estate brokerage, Sabre Realty Group LLC, as VP.

Russo began his career with Bagnato Realty Services, now called NAI Long Island.
 

New York City -- Lee Scott, the former CEO of Wal-Mart Stores, sold 100,000 shares in the company on Friday, reducing his direct stake in the company by about 14%, according to a filing released late on Tuesday, Barrons reported.

Scott sold the shares for $57.17 each on average. He still owns about 607,000 shares directly, not including any options he may still have, the report said. Scott had not sold shares since March 2010, when he also sold about $5.7 million worth, according to InsiderScore.com.
 

NEW YORK — Heading into December, consumers are feeling more confident about the economy and that is good news for retailers who are hoping for a strong holiday shopping season. After declining in October, The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index, improved to 56 in November from 40.9 in Ocober. The Present Situation Index increased to 38.3 from 27.1. The Expectations Index rose to 67.8 from 50.