Labor & Employment

It's changing of the guard time at Chico's FAS.

After what it called an extensive search, the retailer named industry veteran Shelley Broader as president and CEO, effective Dec. 1. She succeeds David F. Dyer, who will become vice chair of the Chico's board.

Broader brings over 25 years of experience to her new position. Most recently, she served as president and CEO of Walmart's EMEA region, responsible for retail operations and business development across Europe, the Middle East, Sub-Sahara Africa and Canada.

Boston – Gordon Brothers announced that Alex Sutton, managing director of Industrial Inventory for Gordon Brothers-AccuVal, will be honored by the Commercial Finance Association with the 2015 Harry H. Chen Memorial Instructor of the Year Award.

REI has shocked the retail industry — and shoppers — with its decision to lock its doors on one of the biggest and most profitable shopping days of the year.

The retailer says it will be closed not only on Thanksgiving Day but also on Black Friday. REI.com will operate as normal on Thanksgiving. On Black Friday, REI.com will have a black takeover screen encouraging people to get outside. Customers will still be able to view product and make a purchase on Black Friday, but the order will not be processed until Saturday.

Before retailers compete for holiday sales they are competing for seasonal talent that will have a big impact on their performance. Here’s a look at whose hiring season help and how many positions are being filled.

Japanese tire manufacturer Bridgestone is accelerating its growth plans in the United States by acquiring the Pep Boys auto parts chain, just as Americans are keeping their cars longer.

The Pep Boys – Manny, Moe & Jack Co. has entered into a definitive merger agreement with Bridgestone under which BSRO will acquire Pep Boys in an all-cash transaction for $15 per share, or approximately $835 million in aggregate equity value.

Walmart is launching a new initiative to help the 250,000 members of the military transitioning back to civilian life in the United States each year.

The program, called Greenlight a Vet, aims to bring recognition to the veterans a year transitioning back to school, jobs and neighborhoods. Walmart is encouraging everyone to participate by showing their support using a "visible symbol," saying even though we don't always know who are vets are when they aren't wearing uniforms, we should still show them support.

The TJX Companies is expanding into another country with its acquisition of Trade Secret’s 35 stores.

TJX announced it has completed its acquisition of Trade Secret, an off-price retailer that operates 35 stores in Australia, from Gazal Corporation Limited for $59 million. The acquisition of Trade Secret provides TJX an opportunistic entry into Australia, where TJX currently operates one of its 13 buying offices.

One of the retail industry’s true innovators, Staples co-founder Tom Stemberg, passed away on Friday at the age of 66.


Stemberg, who died at home after a two-year battle with gastric cancer, was considered the father of the office superstore format. With the backing of Bain Capital and its co-founder, Mitt Romney, he co-founded Staples in 1986, and went on to lead the company through a period of rapid growth to dominate the office products industry.