Labor & Employment

Philadelphia -- Teen value retailer Five Below has named Michael Romanko as its executive VP of merchandising, charged with overseeing merchandising strategy and operations. Romanko, who officially assumes the role on Jan. 19, will report to president Joel Anderson.

Cincinnati -- In response to changes in “where the customer is headed,” Macy’s chief announced on Thursday a sweeping reorganization plan that will close 14 under-performing stores, lay off thousands of workers and, most far-reaching, ready the retailer to respond to an omnichannel shopping environment.

Michael Romanko was named Executive Vice President of Merchandising at discount retailer Five Below, reporting to President Joel Anderson.

Washington, D.C. - The National Retail Federation has expressed its strong support for H.R. 30, the Save American Workers Act, a bill that would restore the traditional 40-hour workweek standard for health benefits under the Affordable Care Act. The NRF sent a letter to each and every House office stating that all votes related to the bill would be considered “key votes” and factored into its annual legislative scorecard.

New York -- Teen retailers had a “less dreadful” holiday selling season than was anticipated. That’s how analysts are tempering the news that banners such as American Eagle Outfitters, Aeropostale and Urban Outfitters posted stronger-than-expected holiday results, released by most on Thursday.

In fact, say industry watchers, the strong sales figures look pretty shiny because they are exaggerated by pre-season low expectations, which were dragged down by fears of aggressive discounting and waning mall traffic.

New York -- Supermarket operator Bi-Lo Holdings LLC, parent of the Bi-Lo and Winn-Dixie chains, said that Randall Onstead will step as president and CEO, effective March 1. The company has identified a successor, who will be named at a later date.

Onstead has been with Bi-Lo, and its parent company Lone Star Holdings, since 2008 when he was named chairman of Bi-Lo, which was then a standalone supermarket company. Under his tenure, the company went though and successfully emerged from Chapter 11 protection after which it went on to flourish and expand.

Monroe, Mich. - La-Z-Boy Inc. has appointed Barbara J. Runyon as chief human resources officer. She will join the company on Feb. 2 and provide leadership and oversight for talent management, employee engagement, workforce development, and compensation and benefits.

Runyon joins La-Z-Boy from PepsiCo/The Pepsi Bottling Group, where she spent 14 years in various HR positions of increasing responsibility. Most recently, she served as senior director of HR for the company's Midwest region.
 

Walmart is turning to the head of its Latin American business to take over as CEO of Walmart de Mexico.

Enrique Ostale, who is chairman of the board of the retailer's Latin American business, will take over as Mexico chief executive on Jan. 1. The position will oversee Walmart's operations in Mexico and Central America.