Labor & Employment

Weis Markets on Thursday announced it has converted and reopened five former Mars Super Markets as Weis Markets stores located in Baltimore County, including two locations in Dundalk and individual units in Essex, Arbutus and Carney.  

Publix’s sales for second quarter 2016 were $8.1 billion, a 2.1% increase from last year’s $8 billion. Comparable-store sales for second quarter 2016 increased 1.1%.    The company says sales were negatively impacted by 1.2% due to the effect of the Easter holiday being in the first quarter in 2016. In 2015, the effect of the Easter holiday was in the second quarter.  

Top Walmart executive Michelle Gloeckler, who landed 38th on Fortune’s list of most powerful women last year, will leave Bentonville to take over as executive VP and chief merchandising officer at Academy Sports + Outdoors.  

Hard hats are in big demand, as construction employment increased in 228 out of 358 metro areas in the last year.   According to a report just issued by the Associated General Contractors of America, which measured construction employment between June 2015 and June 2016, the status remained unchanged in 48 metro areas and dipped in 82 areas in the June-to-June timeframe.  

Macy’s, Inc. has named Elisa D. Garcia as chief legal officer, effective Sept. 7, succeeding Dennis J. Broderick, who is retiring after 29 years.   Garcia, 58, has served in the same capacity for Office Depot since 2013. She was executive VP/general counsel for Domino’s Pizza prior to that.  

Not even a political slug fest can shake the current consumer. The latest Nielsen Consumer Confidence Index showed that consumer confidence in the U.S. is on the rise, despite the uncertainty and starkly contrasting rhetoric around key economic issues.   Per the Index, Americans remained optimistic in the second quarter with a three-point confidence increase to 113. In contrast, the global consumer confidence index for the same period was flat at 98.   Other U.S. highlights include: 

Rethinking its earlier turnaround plans, a century-old Canadian jewelry chain has announced it will shutter all stores.    Winnipeg-based Ben Moss Jewellers, which has sold mid-to-high-priced jewelry since 1910, said it will close the 54-unit chain and has launched going-out-of-business sales that began on Saturday, July 30.     The liquidation efforts are being handled by Gordon Brothers Canada, ULC and Hilco Global (through its Canadian division, Merchant Retail Solutions).  

Kristin Campbell is executive VP and general counsel for Hilton Worldwide Holdings, but it’s her prior office supply retail experience that motivated Office Depot to proffer a seat on the board.   Prior to joining Hilton, Campbell spent 18 years at Staples, where she was most recently senior VP, general counsel and corporate secretary.