Labor & Employment

A total of 425 new H&M stores are slated to open this year, including the new market of Puerto Rico, and the fast fashion retailer also will expand its e-commerce efforts to Japan and 10 additional markets.

The global retailer disclosed its aggressive physical and digital growth plans with the release of financial results for the period ended Feb. 29, which were negatively affected by the strong U.S. dollar. H&M is based in Stockholm, Sweden.

Fred's Inc. has appointed Rick Hans as executive VP and CFO. He fills the position left open when Jerry A. Shore, Fred's former finance head, was promoted to CEO in October 2014.

Prior to joining Fred's, Hans enjoyed a 27-year career with Walgreens, where he most recently served as VP of investor relations and finance. Hans previously held the position of director of finance and assistant treasurer, where he promoted a sound capital structure that subsequently provided the basis for major strategic acquisitions.

Sears Canada is again calling on Becky Penrice to lead an important aspect of its nearly 300 store operation.

Penrice was named executive VP and COO after serving in that role in an interim capacity for little over a two months. Penrice has worn several hats at Sears Canada since joining the company on Dec. 1, 2013 after holding supply chain and human resources roles role at Hudson’s Bay Company.

PayPal announced it is cancelling plans to open a new operations center in North Carolina after the state passed a law that many see as restricting protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. The news comes as leaders of the High Point Market, the largest furnishings industry trade show in the world, warned that “hundreds and perhaps thousands” of customers will not attend the Market, held in High Point, North Carolina in April, due to their opposition to the new law. The Market attracts retailers, designers, suppliers and manufacturers.

The rise of fast-fashion, changing fashion tastes and online commerce may be claiming another teen apparel retailer.

Pacific Sunwear of California Inc. is preparing to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, according to Bloomberg, which cited people with "knowledge of the situation.” The report said the filing could occur as early as next week.

For about three hours the morning of April 4 it looked like Christopher & Banks had found itself a new board member, but then the company discovered a conflict that prevented the high level executive from accepting the nomination.

From salty snacks and soft drinks to motor oil and car parts, Advance Auto Parts has tapped a lifelong PepsiCo executive to serve as its next CEO.

Longtime Walmart executive Tom Coughlin, an inspirational leader who played a key role in Walmart’s growth and left the company in 2005, passed away on April 1.