Labor & Employment

Naperville Ill. -- OfficeMax announced Thursday that Steve Parsons has been named executive VP and chief human resources officer for the office supply chain, effective July 25.

Parsons will report to Ravi Saligram, president and CEO, and will be responsible for all aspects of global human resources for the company, including talent management, compensation and benefits, training, leadership development, recruitment, diversity, and internal and corporate communications.

Most recently, Parsons was senior VP human resources at Rite Aid Corp.

Pleasanton, Calif. -- Safeway reported Thursday that net income for the second quarter rose to $145.8 million from $141.3 million in the year-ago period, helped by rising prices and gas sales.

Total sales increased 7.1% to $10.2 billion from $9.5 billion.

New York City -- Borders Group said objections from creditors are irrelevant because the company’s liquidation means it will not carry on any contracts with business partners, Bloomberg reported.

Borders is due to seek court approval Thursday to liquidate its 399 remaining stores. The approximate 99 objections from creditors should be overruled, the company said in court papers, as it does not plan to keep or transfer any contracts or leases, the report said.
 

Dallas -- SRS Real Estate Partners announced on Tuesday the hiring of Michael Weiss as senior VP in the South Florida office.

PLANO, Texas  — JCPenney said Tuesday that its veteran marketing chief Mike Boylson has retired from the company. His successor will be selected by newly minted CEO Ron Johnson in what will be the former Apple executive’s first senior-level appointment at JCPenney.

Boylson was with the department store chain for more than three decades, the last eight years as chief marketing officer. He said in June he would retire from the company on July 1, according to a JCPenney spokeswoman.

Providence, R.I. -- An Associated Press report on Tuesday said that CVS Caremark Corp. has resolved a complaint over a pre-hiring questionnaire that could discriminate against those with certain mental conditions.

According to the Rhode Island chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, the complaint was settled voluntarily.

CINCINNATI — Kroger banner Smith's has a new president. Mark Tuffin will succeed Jim Hallsey, who is retiring from his post after 47 years of service with Smith's and Kroger, the supermarket retailer announced Tuesday. Hallsey served in his role as president of Smith's since 2001.

Tuffin, who most recently served as Kroger's VP transition, leading the company's efforts to implement significant organizational changes between all areas of the business, brings more than 30 years of experience to his new role. Tuffin joined Smith's in 1996.

Ann Arbor, Mich. -- Borders Group, which had been holding out hope that a buyer would come forward to save the company, said late Monday it will seek court approval Thursday for a liquidation led by Hilco Merchant Resources and Gordon Brothers Group.

The bookseller said that, with approval by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court of the Southern District of New York, it could begin shuttering its 399 remaining stores as early as Friday, and it is expected to go out of business for good by the end of September.