Labor & Employment

New York -- Local politicians and local New Yorkers differ in their views on Walmart.

Fifty-five percent of New York City residents want elected officials to let Walmart open a store within the five boroughs, according to a poll by Quinnipiac University.

The results are similar to a poll conducted by the university four years ago, when the retailer made a failed push to open in Brooklyn.

Seattle -- Amazon continues to expand its already formidable fulfillment center.

The online giant plans to open a nearly 500,000-sq.-ft. center in Joliet, Illinois. The site, which will create 1,000 full-time jobs when it opens, is the company’s first in the state.

Amazon.com is planning to make its deliveries to Chicago area customers a lot faster and more efficient with the opening of a new distribution center.

The retailer plans to open a nearly 500,000-square-foot fulfillment center in Joliet, Ill. The site, which will create 1,000 full-time jobs when it opens, is the company’s first in the state.

As retailers feel pressured to raise wages for employees, GameStop is focusing on education by giving staffers an incentive to hit the books.

New Albany, Ohio – Specialty chain Abercrombie & Fitch Inc. tries to stay on the edge of cool, and has reportedly decided that on-call shifts are no longer what the cool retailers are doing. According to the Associated Press, Abercrombie will end its requirement for employees in New York stores to be available for short-notice shifts by the end of the year.

New York — Ron Johnson’s newest venture has secured a big round of additional funding.

Enjoy Technology, the online e-commerce start-up founded by the former J.C. Penney chief and Apple store executive, announced it has secured $50 million in a round of Series B funding led by Highland Capital.

Goodlettsville, Tenn. — A familiar face has returned to head up merchandising at Dollar General.

Dollar General said James W. “Jim” Thorpe had rejoined the company as executive VP and chief merchandising officer, effective immediately. Thorpe previously served as Dollar General’s senior vice president and general merchandise manager from May 2006 until he retired in July 2012. 

A familiar face has returned to lead Dollar General’s merchandising organization following the departure of David D’Arezzo who leaves the 12,000 unit retailer after serving as chief merchandising officer for 20 months.

San Diego -- Petco on Thursday today announced several key changes to its leadership team.

In addition to adding chairman responsibilities to CEO Jim Myers' role, the company named Brad Weston as president.

Previously, Weston served as executive VP, chief merchandising officer and president of the company’s Unleashed by Petco unit. The retail veteran joined Petco in October 2011 and led the evolution of the Unleashed by Petco format.

New York -- Starbucks founder and CEO Howard Schultz says he is not running for President, but that doesn’t mean he is satisfied with the state of politics in American.