Labor & Employment

Reducing the number of hours truck drivers are allowed to spend behind the wheel sounds like it would be a good idea to improve the nation’s roadways, but nothing could be further from the truth, according the Retail Industry Leaders Association.

The trade group is looking to defeat new rules proposed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration that includes a provision that would reduce to 10 from 11 the number of hours drivers are allowed to drive before taking a 34-hour break.

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. -- Kohl’s Department Stores announced the grand opening of nine new stores across seven states, which the company said will create more than 1,200 jobs.

The new stores were opened Illinois, New York, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin. In addition, Kohl's plans to open a total of approximately 40 new stores in 2011. The company said it also plans to remodel approximately 100 stores in 2011, an 18% increase from 2010.

Menomonee Falls, Wis. -- Kohl’s Department Stores on Wednesday is celebrating  the grand opening of nine new stores across seven states: Illinois, New York, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.  The chain plans to open a total of approximately 40 stores in 2011.

In addition,  Kohl’s continues to invest in its existing store base, remodeling approximately 100 stores in 2011, an 18% increase from 2010.

PARIS — The president of Procter & Gamble's global hair care business is taking on a new role at Sephora.

Effective March 31, Christopher de Lapuente will end his 28-year career at P&G to become the global president and CEO for beauty retailer Sephora, which is owned by luxury group LVMH. All regions worldwide will report to him. For European operations, de Lapuente succeeds Jacques Levy.

In addition to his responsibilities as global president and CEO for Sephora, de Lapuente also will be a member of LVMH's executive committee.

PITTSBURGH -- Dick’s Sporting Goods on Tuesday showed why it is the nation’s leading sporting goods retailer by producing record profits and a 9.4% same-store sales increase that extended to six its string of consecutive quarterly comp gains.

ORRVILLE, Ohio  -- The J. M. Smucker Company announced several executive appointments. Effective Aug. 16, Richard K. Smucker will become the sole CEO of the company.  Timothy P. Smucker will continue to serve the company as chairman of the board.

The board of directors also approved the following additional executive appointments and realignment of responsibilities effective May 1:

San Jose, Calif.  -- Orchard Supply Hardware on Monday named Mark Baker president and CEO. Baker will also join the Orchard Supply's board.

In December the company announced it was looking for a replacement for then-CEO Rob Lynch, who resigned.  

Baker was most recently president and COO of The Scotts Miracle-Gro. Before that he worked in various roles at The Home Depot and was CEO of Gander Mountain Co.

Tempe, Ariz. -- Incentives Advisors, which specializes in turning human resources departments into profit centers by identifying, administering and securing hiring-related government incentives, added Chipotle Mexican Grill to its customer roster. The company will deploy Incentives+ tax credit screening solution to make it easy to screen job candidates for over 100 federal, state, and local hiring credits.