Labor & Employment

Bebe stores has brought back its founder and former CEO to lead a turnaround effort that includes a 15% reduction in its corporate workforce.

The troubled retailer announced that founder Manny Mashouf has rejoined its management team as CEO, replacing Jim Wiggett, who was hired less than two years ago. Mashouf previously served as CEO from the company’s founding in 1976 to 2004, and then again from 2009 until the beginning of 2013, when he stepped down and became non-executive chairman.

American Apparel has lost one of its veteran executives. Martin Bailey, who headed up manufacturing for the company, has resigned, Fashionunited.com reported. Previously, he served as president and VP of operations for American Apparel, which recently emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. [Fashionunited.com]

Photo: Matthew Tice (left) and Mark Cosenza (right)

One of the senior executives at Cabela’s is transitioning to an advisory role within the company.

The sporting goods retailer announced that Michael Copeland, executive VP/COO, has decided to transition from his current position to a strategic advisory role. The transition will take place over the next month.

Copeland joined Cabela’s in November 2007 as VP of retail operations. Since January 2010 he has served as Cabela’s COO.

Market uncertainty around the world is taking a toll on retail CFOs confidence in the future.

That’s according to a new BDO U.S.A. survey in which retail CFOs predict a 3.4% increase in total sales for 2016. It’s the second consecutive year that the total store sales projection has dipped since the spike to 5.1% in 2014.

In addition, a notable decline in the number of CFOs expecting consumer confidence to increase this year was also revealed, which dropped nearly 50% year over year.

The VF Corp. is adding some heavy duty retail expertise to its board of directors.

Photo: (L-R) Eric Griffith, Michael Herman, Stephen Lebovitz, Rusty Carlton, Robert Snetman.

Chattanooga, Tenn. -- CBL announced the promotions of Rusty Carlton to VP of portfolio accounting; Eric Griffith to VP of mall leasing; Michael Herman to VP of legal services; and Robert Snetman to VP of asset management and third party services.

Walmart is the target of a lawsuit that could provide an answer to the quesition as to whether anti-gay discrimination is a form of sex discrimination, according to Bloomberg. If a settlement isn’t reached in the case, which goes to mediation on Feb. 22, it will go to trial in federal court in Massachusetts.