Labor & Employment

Supervalu on Wednesday announced Eric Claus has been named the CEO of Save-A-Lot, the company’s hard-discount grocery segment. Claus, 59, joins the company after spending the past two-plus years as the chairman, president and CEO of Red Apple Stores, a chain of value retail stores in Canada. 

Retailers are paying more and offering more incentives to secure experienced in-store help to increase sales.

For a highly specialized retailer like specialty music chain Guitar Center, keeping track of store labor can pose extra challenges.

“Our customers want knowledgeable associates for specific instruments,” explained Alex Khamudis, manager of store labor for Westlake Village, California-based Guitar Center. “How do you figure out when to schedule experts, and how many, across four separate departments like guitar and drums?”

Boss Facility Services announced the addition of Keith Powers, who will focus on the addition of national accounts specifically in the preventative maintenance and R&M space for HVAC, lighting, general repair and janitorial sectors.

Powers brings a diverse sales background to his new job, having worked in varying industries, most recently serving as regional eServices/eCommerce manager for Advance Auto Parts in which he was responsible for increasing multiple revenue streams.

Dunkin’ Donuts has signed a multi-unit store development agreement with a franchise group led by two former NFL players.

The chain said it has signed an agreement with Berliner III to develop 14 new restaurants in St. Louis and two new locations in Kansas City over the next several years. Berliner III is led by NFL greats and former University of Nebraska football players Kris Brown and Zach Wiegert, who have teamed up with David Scott to develop a third market.

American casual dining chain Red Robin has experienced nearly half a century of growth and prosperity. From the time the first Red Robin was established in Seattle in 1969, the brand has evolved to become a popular success and a familiar presence in cities and towns across the country. Today, there are more than 520 Red Robin locations nationally, and the brand is well known for its gourmet burgers, family atmosphere and quality beer options.

As we begin 2016, supermarket retailers continue to adapt to changing consumer demands, industry issues and regulations affecting their businesses. Some grocers are expanding their footprints, others are narrowing to specialty formats, and some seem to be doing both. All are facing increased competition and high expectations around freshness, convenience and transparency.

How will retailers fare in 2016? Very well, according to experienced market watchers.

“We expect core retail sales to grow 5.3% in 2016,” says Scott Hoyt, senior director of consumer economics for Moody’s Analytics, a research firm based in West Chester, Pa. (Core retail sales exclude volatile revenues from auto sales and gas stations.)

That is notably faster than the 4.2% rate anticipated when 2015 sales are finally tallied. The 2015 experience was, again, slightly better than that the 3.9% growth of 2014.

The CEO of Guess?

More Stride Rite shoe stores are closing as parent company Wolverine World Wide increases its focus on direct sales and improving the performance of lifestyle brands.