Labor & Employment

It is the season before the season when retailer revelations about plans to hire temporary workers offer insight into holiday expectations. One of the best indicators of what to expect this Christmas comes courtesy of UPS.

UPS said it plans to hire between 90,000 and 95,000 seasonal employees (about the same as last year) to support the anticipated increase in package volume that will begin in November and continue through January 2016.

Target Corp. is going high-tech with efforts to improve employee fitness. All 335,000 U.S. employees of Target will be offered free or subsidized wearable digital activity trackers from Fitbit Inc.

As part of the program, management will have a dashboard that can track individual employees by activities such as how many steps they take in a day. The basic FitBit Zip device will be provided free, or Target will help employees pay for a costlier FitBit wristband device.

Toys ”R” Us says a planned decrease in promotions led the retailer to report a drop in same-store sales in the second quarter.

The retailer singled out declines in the baby, entertainment and seasonal categories as contributing to the comp drop as well. However new CEO Dave Brandon sounded a positive tone regarding the company’s profit potential.

Toys“R”Us has looked to a Loreal veteran to take over its human resources division.

The retailer announced that it has named Tim Grace as executive vice president, global chief talent officer, effective immediately. In this role, the company says Grace will oversee all global human resources functions, including organizational design, talent acquisition, succession planning, learning, change management and labor and employee relations, as well as compensation and benefits. He will report to Dave Brandon, Chairman and CEO, Toys“R”Us, Inc.

Ft. Myers, Fla. – Chico’s FAS Inc. may be considering a sale to one of several private equity suitors.

According to Bloomberg, Chico’s has been approached by Sycamore Partners and is also in talks with other private equity groups about a possible sale.

New York – Front-running Republican presidential contender Donald Trump continued his war of words with Macy’s Inc. during a Sunday morning interview on the CBS program, "Face the Nation."

Trump singled out Macy’s as an example of companies where the CEO places their friends on the board and receives inappropriately high pay.

Chico’s FAS Inc. may be considering a sale to one of several private equity suitors.

Wayne, N.J. – Toys “R” Us has put an executive from L’Oreal in charge of its human resources.

The toy giant appointed Tim Grace as executive VP, global chief talent officer, effective Sept. 14.

Grace will oversee all global human resources functions, including organizational design, talent acquisition, succession planning, learning, change management and labor and employee relations, as well as compensation and benefits.