Labor & Employment

Austin -- Whole Foods Market co-CEO Walter Robb told investors at a Jefferies Global Consumer Conference that the now-300-store chain is expected to grow to 1,000 stores in the United States.

The organic grocer sees opportunity in Canada as well, and Robb said it expects to grow its store count there from six to 35.

New York City -- A report released Thursday by The Conference Board said that the rate of dismissal of CEOs in the S&P 500 due to disciplinary actions has increased in recent years, while 25% of boards of directors facing a chief executive succession have opted for an outside hire.

According to the 2011 CEO Succession Report, 51 CEOs in the S&P 500 left their post in 2010, making the rate of CEO succession approximately 10%, consistent with the average number of annual succession announcements from 2000 through 2009.

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Chico's has named Pamela Knous EVP, CFO and chief accounting officer. Knous assumes the principal finance, accounting, investor relations, and strategic planning responsibilities currently under the direction of Kent Kleeberger, who was appointed to the position of EVP, COO in March. Knous is expected to join the company on June 23 and will report directly to Chico's president and CEO, David Dyer.

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation announced that it has sent a letter supporting Section 18 of H.R. 1249, the America Invents Act from NRF SVP government relations David French to House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith, R-Texas, Ranking Member John Conyers, D-Mich., and other members of the committee. 

SALT LAKE CITY — O.co, formerly Overstock.com, announced that its CEO, Dr. Patrick Byrne, was named executive of the year at the 2011 American Business Awards. O.co was also named best overall company (up to 2,500 employees).

"This is a great achievement for O.co," Byrne said. "I thank and applaud all my colleagues on this great achievement."

Pittsburgh -- GNC Holdings announced Monday that its president and chief merchandising and marketing officer Beth Kaplan has resigned the company.

After three-and-a-half years in the position, Kaplan cited a desire to pursue personal interests as reason for the departure. She will also resign as a director of the company.

Joe Fortunato, CEO, will reassume the title of president of GNC.

In related news, Amy B. Lane has joined GNC Holdings’ board of directors, replacing Kaplan.

Washington, D.C. -- A Bloomberg report on Tuesday said that the women who sought to sue Wal-Mart Stores for gender bias on behalf of 1.5 million co-workers said they will continue the fight in smaller lawsuits in lower courts and claims with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday said the women failed to prove that Wal-Mart had a nationwide policy that led to gender discrimination, precluding a class action and forcing the plaintiffs to pursue claims on their own.

Tokyo -- A Monday report by the Financial Times said that Walmart’s chief executive in Japan has resigned suddenly, just over a year after he assumed the position.

Toru Noda became CEO of Walmart Japan and Seiyu, its Japanese supermarket chain, in February 2010. He has cited personal reasons for the unexpected departure.

Noda will be replaced by Steve Dacus, former COO of both Walmart Japan and Seiyu.