Labor & Employment

Amazon’s distribution fleet is once again bolstering its breadth.   The online giant plans to open three additional fulfillment centers in New Jersey. The new sites in Cranbury Township, Edison and Logan Township, a move that will create more than 2,500 new, full-time jobs.   

VF Corp. is getting a new technology leader.   Martin Schneider, the company’s VP and CIO will retire at the end of 2017. Sandra Harris, VP, global business technology, will succeed Schneider as VP and CIO, effective Jan. 1, 2018. Harris also has been appointed to VF’s senior leadership team.  

The Australian retail marketplace is in for a huge shake-up.   Amazon is preparing to operate an online store in Australia, offering the country’s consumers access to more categories. Amazon already sells Kindle e-books and readers, Audible audiobooks, and online shoppers can also download apps, but this move will bring “a retail offering to Australia,” according to the e-retailer.  

Three experts have joined JLL’s brokerage team in Houston. Donna Kolius, Pierce Owens, and Kaylie Walker will be focusing on multi-market dispositions, national portfolio strategies, and sale leasebacks, which will help expand JLL’s disposition business.   

Albertsons Companies has appointed Wayne Denningham, currently executive VP and COO, to the new role of president and COO for Albertsons Companies. Denningham will continue to lead store operations with added oversight of marketing & merchandising, supply chain, manufacturing, and integration, all of which will continue under their current leadership.  

One of the fastest-growing regions in the nation--in both jobs and population — will be home to another retail-heavy mixed-use project.   RPS development and High Street Residential, a Trammel Crow unit, will be building 342,000 sq. ft. of retail and restaurant space encompassing 23 buildings in Allen, Texas, according to the Dallas Morning News.  

Neiman Marcus’ debt burden just got heavier.   The luxury retailer will make interest payments over the next six months with new debt to preserve its cash and bank line of credit.   Instead of making a current $29 million cash interest payment on $600 million notes due in 2021Neiman Marcus will issue more bonds to holders to cover the 9.5% interest, the Dallas News reported.  

Walmart hit the century mark in terms of training academies.   The retailer on Monday celebrated the grand opening of its 100th U.S. training academy, in Frontage, Edmond. The academies were first introduced in 2016 and have expanded to 40 states.