Labor & Employment

Wal-Mart Stores president and CEO Mike Duke was on Capitol Hill this week making the case for modernizing the U.S. tax code even as Democratic and Republican lawmakers continued to engage in brinksmanship over what all agree is a disturbing level of national indebtedness. Duke testified before the United States Senate Committee on Finance, which was holding hearings on CEO perspectives on how the tax code affects hiring, businesses and economic growth. A transcript of his prepared remarks appears below:

TOANO, Va. — Lumber Liquidators second-quarter sales increased 4% to $175.5 million, up from $168.7 million in the same quarter last year.

But at comparable-stores decreased 7.9%, and net income decreased to $5.3 million in the second quarter, down from $9.1 million in the second quarter of the prior year. 

TOPEKA, Kan. — The desire for affordable, stylish shoes is something shared by U.S. and international consumers alike, which is why Collective Brands' Payless ShoeSource unit has been able to build a successful franchise business overseas. The company announced Thurday the opening of its 100th franchise store, which is located in Cirebon, Indonesia.  The store represents the 7th store in Indonesia to date.

Washington, D.C. -- A report released Thursday by the Labor Department said that jobless claims for last week dropped by 24,000 to 398,000, the fewest since April.

Initial claims from two weeks ago were revised up to 422,000 from an original reading of 418,000. Economists surveyed by MarketWatch had expected new requests for jobless benefits to fall to 413,000 in the latest week.

NEW YORK — Barnes & Noble announced that Miwa Messer has been named director of the Discover Great New Writers program. Established in 1990, the Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers program has championed new talent and been a showcase for our commitment to new writers, the company reported.

Bentonville, Ark. -- A Wednesday report by Bloomberg said that Wal-Mart Stores has named Morten Knudsen as CFO for Asia, as the retailer recasts its leadership roles in the region amidst top-heavy turnover.

Knudsen, who was previously VP for corporate finance in Asia for Danone, takes the financial chief spot for Wal-Mart Asia effective Sept. 1.

Since May, Wal-Mart has lost Japanese chief Toru Noda and three of its top executives in China, including the CFO and COO Roland Lawrence and Rob Cissell, respectively.
 

Amsterdam -- The Tommy Hilfiger Group said Wednesday it has named John Ermatinger as CEO of the company's Asia business, effective Aug. 1.

Ermatinger was previously president of Gap Asia Pacific for two years and president of Gap Japan for three years. Under his leadership, Gap successfully launched the brand in China.

Camp Hill, Pa. -- Rite Aid Corp. has agreed to pay $2.1 million to Massachusetts towns to settle alleged prescription drug overcharges under the workers’ compensation insurance system.

Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley said Wednesday that Rite Aid has overcharged state agencies and at least 100 cities and towns to fill prescriptions for people receiving workers' compensation since 2002.