Labor & Employment

Washington, D.C. - The National Retail Federation (NRF) is publicly supporting the May 14 Senate vote on Trade Promotion Authority. Trade Promotion Authority is legislation from Congress outlining objectives and oversight for trade negotiations between the U.S. and other countries.

The parent company of Albertsons and Safeway has named a drugstore industry veteran as its new SVP of pharmacy, health and wellness.

Boise, Idaho -- The parent company of Albertson's, New Albertson's and Safeway (collectively Albertsons), AB Acquisition LLC, has appointed industry veteran Mark Panzer as senior VP of pharmacy, health and wellness, overseeing the company's 1,760 pharmacies in 34 states across the country. Panzer succeeds Darren Singer, who has left the company to pursue other opportunities.

New York – Fast-fashion retailer H&M estimates that it will continue to expand annually at a rate of 10% to 15%, which would take the U.S. store count to more than 400 and the total store count to almost 4,000 stores by the end of the year.

During 2015, the Swedish retailer has thus far announced it will open 61 stores, including the Herald Square flagship in New York City, which will become the largest H&M in the world when it opens on May 20.

Target is shedding an obscure division that many people didn’t even know existed, as CEO Brian Cornell continues with his transformation of the company.

The company announced it will sell Target Commercial Interiors (TCI), a subsidiary that provides office furnishings and related services for business and commercial clients.

Minneapolis-based Omni Workspace Company, more commonly known as A&M Business Interior Services, will acquire TCI and operate it as a wholly owned subsidiary. TCI will be renamed following the completion of the acquisition.

Minneapolis -- Target Corp. is selling its Target Commercial Interiors (TCI) subsidiary, which provides office furnishings and related services for business and commercial clients, to Minneapolis-based Omni Workspace Company, commonly known as A&M Business Interior Services. A&M will operate TCI, which will be renamed on the completion of the acquisition, as a wholly owned subsidiary.

Milwaukee – A sharp reduction in loss from continuing operations, primarily related to the sale of the Rainbow banner to Supervalu, helped Roundy’s Inc. cut net loss to $2.33 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2015, from $4.52 million the same quarter a year earlier. Net sales rose 14% to $981.93 million from $862.69 million, while same-store sales dropped 1.6%.

Secaucus, N.J. – The Children’s Place Inc. and a group of dissatisfied activist Children’s Place investors, called Shareholders for Change at the Children’s Place, have exchanged accusations in a pair of open letters to shareholders. The retailer struck first with a letter supporting the election of its three independent board nominees, including chairman Norman Matthews, at the upcoming May 22 annual meeting.