Labor & Employment

Chico's FAS blamed the holiday calendar and a volatile stock market for its disappointing financial results in the third quarter.

Leading footwear retailer DSW Inc. made significant omnichannel upgrades during the third quarter but warm weather kept shoppers from buying shoes in stores or online.

Sales declined 0.6% to $666 million and same store sales declined 3.9% compared to a 2.6% comp increase during the same period the prior year. Profits declined 20.7% to $39.3 million and earnings per share declined 20% to 44 cents, in line with the company’s guidance range of 41 cents to 44 cents.

The recent KronosWorks 2015 conference was held in Las Vegas, a city built on taking chances. However, increasing automation of workforce management tasks is helping retailers remove the risk from activities such as scheduling, staffing and hiring.

Here are three hot automation trends highlighted at KronosWorks that are helping retailers win the workforce management game.

There has been a bit of controversy lately regarding Urban Outfitters’ recent request that some of their salaried employees “volunteer” to fill normally hourly roles in fulfillment centers and retail outlets.

June 2, 2015: David Brandon is named chairman and CEO, effective July 1, succeeding the retiring Antonio Urcelay.

November 2013: Former Walmart executive Hank Mullany is named president of Toys “R” Us, U.S.

October 2013: 17-year Toys “R” Us veteran Antonio Urcelay is named chairman and CEO after serving in an interim role for five months.

Taking the reins of Toys “R” Us in July 2015, new CEO and chairman David Brandon recognized one of the biggest challenges he faced would be inspiring others to execute his vision of what the company could be. The retailer had gone through a decade of leadership changes, and Brandon was well aware that frequent executive changes, strategic shifts and cost-cutting can cause stress and a lack of trust.

Walmart on Friday named George Riedl as senior VP, president Walmart health and wellness, reporting to Michelle Gloeckler, Walmart executive VP consumables and health and wellness.

Riedl starts Dec. 14.

Walmart on Friday named George Riedl as senior VP, president Walmart health and wellness, reporting to Michelle Gloeckler, Walmart executive VP consumables and health and wellness.