Labor & Employment

Columbia, S.C. -- Edens & Avant announced Friday that its CEO Terry S. Brown has been named the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2011 Carolinas Award winner.

The awards program recognizes entrepreneurs who demonstrate excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. Brown was selected as the winner in the real estate category from nearly 100 nominations across the Carolinas.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Fortune Brands announced that it has named E. Lee Wyatt as SVP and CFO of its home and security unit.

Wyatt was most recently EVP and CFOat HanesBrands. Prior to joining HanesBrands in advance of its 2006 spin-off, Wyatt served as a VP of Sara Lee and as CFO of Sara Lee branded apparel from 2005 to 2006. His previous executive leadership positions include serving as EVP, CFO and treasurer of Sonic Automotive and as VP administration and CFO of Sealy Corporation.

Seattle -- Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) on Friday announced plans to open a new store in Indianapolis at the Plaza at Castleton next spring. The new store will be the outdoor retailer’s first in the state.

The one-story, approximately 23,800-sq.-ft. store is one of 117 stores in 28 states and two online stores -- rei.com and rei-outlet.com.
 

SAN FRANCISCO— At an investor conference on Thursday, Gap CEO Glenn Murphy announced the company will close 200 of its 900 U.S. namesake stores even as it expands its outlet presence.

 While the company did not identify which stores will close, Gap said the 200 Gap brand closures over the next two years will be accompanied by a push to expand its Gap Outlet and Banana Republic factory chains.

New York City -- Kenneth Cole Productions announced that effective June 20, 2011, Paul Blum will be appointed to the position of CEO. Kenneth Cole will continue as chairman and chief creative officer, maintaining his creative role over design and advertising.

Hired in March as vice chairman, Blum brings over 25 years of experience in footwear, accessories, apparel, wholesaling and retailing to the position. He most recently held the position of CEO at luxury jewelry company David Yurman.
 

All of the proposals voted on at Walmart’s shareholders’ meeting last Friday were defeated, but the official tally of results filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission last night revealed one proposal that drew a surprisingly large number of votes.

New York City -- Wal-Mart Stores will donate as much as $5 million to New York City’s cash-strapped Summer Youth Employment Program, Crain’s New York Business reported. The donation will reportedly save 3,400 jobs.

Springfield, N.J. -- Village Super Market reported Thursday that net income for the third quarter dropped 68% to $1.7 million, primarily due to a $4.2 million charge for the withdrawal liability from a multi-employer pension plan.

Sales grew 5.2% to $316.2 million. Same-store sales increased 4.8%.