Labor & Employment

Specialty jeweler announces key executive changes
In addition to promoting three key executives and adding a new board member, Signet Jewelers is announcing the retirement of two company leaders. The appointments include the following:
Walmart to give new employees pay increases sooner
The labor market for workers appears to be improving. Walmart confirmed to media outlets it will speed up the time it takes for new employees to complete a training program and subsequently increase their pay. The retail two years ago implemented a $9 per-hour minimum wage and last year unveiled a six-month training program called Pathways. Once this program was completed, pay was increased to $10 per hour.

Athleta debuts its first Fair Trade Certified styles

Athleta’s latest line will provide a premium to the female workforce that created it. The athleisure brand’s spring collection was manufactured in a factory certified by Fair Trade USA, an organization dedicated to creating social and economic opportunities for factory workers globally. For a product to earn Fair Trade certification, it must originate from a facility that operates according to the rigorous social, environmental and economic standards set in place by Fair Trade USA.
Office supply giant names tech exec as new CEO

Office Depot has named a successor to CEO Roland Smith, who previously announced his intention to retire from the company. The company also named a new chairman. The retailer has appointed Gerry P. Smith as CEO, effective Feb. 27. Smith currently serves as executive VP and COO of Lenovo Group, a $45 billion global technology company.
Starbucks to hire 10,000 refugees

Starbucks Corp. is living up to its reputation as one of the nation’s most socially progressive retailers. On the heels of President Donald Trump's indefinite suspension of Syrian refugees and temporary travel bans that apply to seven predominantly Muslim countries, the coffee giant pledged to hire 10,000 refugees to work at its stores around the world during the next five years.
Shoes.com shuts down operations

In an abrupt move, Shoes.com pulled the plug on its operations on Friday, Jan. 27. The company, which said in September it was preparing for its next phase of growth, took its three e-commerce businesses, Shoes.com, ShoeMe.ca and OnlineShoes.com, offline, and closed the doors to two brick-and-mortar locations in Vancouver and Toronto.
Children’s apparel retailer on the hunt for a new CEO

The CEO of embattled Gymboree Corp. is stepping down. The children’s apparel retailer said that Mark Breitbard will step down as chief executive once a successor has been named. He will assume the role of chairman of the board, effective February 1, 2017.
Starbucks Q1 sales growth disappoints

Starbucks posted disappointing sales growth for its first quarter, citing “a challenging environment for restaurant retailers overall.” The coffee giant reported that its consolidated net revenues increased 7% in the quarter, ended January 1, 2017, to $5.73 billion, less than analysts had expected.
Chief merchant of Hudson’s Bay and Lord & Taylor leaves for exec role at Stein Mart

A veteran retail merchandiser is leaving Hudson’s Bay to join Stein Mart. The off-price announced that MaryAnne Morin will join Stein Mart as president, effective Feb. 6, with responsibility for merchandising and marketing.
Commentary: Starbucks now “firmly in middle age”

Neil Saunders, CEO of retail research and consulting firm Conlumino, comments on Starbucks’ first quarter results in the remarks below.

Specialty jeweler announces key executive changes

Walmart to give new employees pay increases sooner

Athleta debuts its first Fair Trade Certified styles

Office supply giant names tech exec as new CEO

Starbucks to hire 10,000 refugees

Shoes.com shuts down operations

Children’s apparel retailer on the hunt for a new CEO

Starbucks Q1 sales growth disappoints

Chief merchant of Hudson’s Bay and Lord & Taylor leaves for exec role at Stein Mart

Commentary: Starbucks now “firmly in middle age”