Labor & Employment

Just a few days after naming a new CEO, Target issued a preliminary update on its second-quarter expenses related, in part, to the December 2013 data breach.  

St. Louis -- Panera Bread Company announced that Roger Matthews, executive VP and CFO, has resigned his position to pursue other opportunities.

Effective Aug. 6, Bill Moreton, executive vice chairman of Panera Bread, will serve as interim CFO as the company conducts a search for a full-time replacement. Moreton has previously held the positions of CEO, co-chief executive officer and CFO of Panera Bread. Matthews will transition his remaining duties through the end of August.

Seattle -- REI named Alex Thompson as the company's new VP of communications and public affairs.  

Thompson most recently served as executive VP of corporate and public affairs in the New York office of Edelman, a global communications and marketing firm.

At REI, Thompson will direct a broad portfolio that includes public relations, reputation management, corporate communications, philanthropy, community affairs and government relations. In addition, he will be actively involved with the co-op's board of directors.

Dallas – The global Electronic Shelf Labels (ESL) market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.03% during the period 2013-2018. According to a new report from Sandler Research, one of the key factors contributing to this market growth is the reduction in labor costs.

The global Electronic Shelf Labels market has also been witnessing the increasing demand for ESL by retail stores. However, Sandler Research advises the increasing competition among vendors could pose a challenge to the growth of this market.

Lafayette, La. - ARC Group Inc., owner, operator and franchisor of the Dick's Wings & Grill concept, has named Chris Perrella has joined the company as its director of marketing.

Minneapolis -- Christopher & Banks Corporation announced that Peter G. Michielutti has been promoted to executive VP, COO and CFO, effective immediately.

Michielutti was previously senior VP and CFO, having joined the company in April 2012.

Denton, Texas – Sally Beauty Holdings Inc. reported its net earnings declined 7% to $67.76 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2014, from $72.47 million in the same period the prior year. Net sales grew 4.1% to $949.27 million, from $912.1 million.

Expenses associated with an executive management transition and a previously disclosed data security breach in March 2014 contributed to Sally Beauty’s fall in net earnings.

Foothill Ranch, Calif. - Christine Lee has been appointed executive VP and chief merchandising officer, starting on Sept. 3. Lee served as senior VP/general merchandise manager, women’s apparel, accessories and design at Pacific Sunwear of California Inc since 2010.

Prior to Pacific Sunwear, Lee spent 18 years with Urban Outfitters Inc. Brieane Breuer, who joined PacSun in 2007 and is the company's current VP of women's design, will replace Lee on an interim basis.

Tewksbury, Mass. – The Attorney General’s offices of Massachusetts and New Hampshire have warned the Market Basket supermarket chain that it must follow the letter of the law in terminating any employees involved in walkouts and demonstrations that have been occurring since July 18. According to the Boston Globe, a joint letter to Market Basket co-CEOs Felicia Thornton and James Gooch from the two offices states that they are aware Market Basket may start replacing workers on Aug. 4.

San Jose, Calif. – EBay Inc. has released its 2014 diversity report. The online auction retailer, whose global workforce is 58% male and global workforce is 61% white, says it has made improvements in workforce diversity but still has progress to make.

EBay’s global leadership is 72%, while its global technology wotkforce is 76% male. The non-tech workforce is much more gender-diverse, with a slight 51% male majority.