Labor & Employment

Mahwah, N.J. — Ann Inc. is no more. 

Ascena Retail Group Inc. has completed its acquisition of Ann Inc., formerly called Ann Taylor. Shares of Ann Inc. will be delisted from the NYSE and trading  ceased at the close of business on Friday, August 21st.   

Foot Locker Inc. continues to cash in on the trend toward wearing fashionable active apparel, as the company reported impressive sales and earnings growth in its latest quarter.

For the second quarter ended Aug. 1, the retailer posted net income of $119 million, or 84 cents per share, compared with net income of $92 million, or 63 cents per share, last year, a 33% increase. Same store sales increased 9.6%. Total sales increased 3.3%, to $1,695 million this year, compared with sales of $1,641 million for the corresponding prior-year period.  

Issaquah, Wash. — A consumer lawsuit reportedly accuses Costco of knowingly purchasing shrimp from Thai providers that use slave labor and then misleading the public about the practice. According to the Puget Sound Business Journal, a California woman filed the suit in San Francisco federal court.

Staples says the $6.3 billion deal to buy rival Office Depot is still on track despite the retailer’s deepening sales declines in the second quarter.

Lumber Liquidators has hired a new executive to help it fight off an avalanche of legal troubles that has hammered the flooring retailer.

Pittsburgh – American Eagle Outfitters Inc. flew high in the second quarter of fiscal 2015, surpassing Wall Street expectations for profit and revenue. AEO reported net income of $33.26 million, an almost six-fold increase from $5.81 million in the prior year period.

The growth pace of cost of sales and expenses was slower than that of sales, helping AEO report such a dramatic rise in profit. Operating income also significantly improved. Total net revenue increased 12% to $797 million from $711 million, aided by an 11% jump in same-store sales.

Toronto – Despite efforts by her previous employer to block the transition, former Kohl’s CIO Janet Schalk is joining Hudson’s Bay Co. in the same capacity. Schalk initially informed Kohl’s she would be leaving effective July 31 to take the Hudson’s Bay CIO post.

Specialty retailer Francesca's is losing its head merchant.

CMO Sei Jin Alt is resigning to spend more time with her family and pursue other interests, the company said. The company has initiated a search for a new Chief Merchandising Officer. To facilitate a smooth transition, Alt will remain in her current role until Nov. 20.