Labor & Employment

Retail industry sales (which exclude automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants) will increase 4.1% in 2014, up from the preliminary 3.7% growth seen in 2013, according to the National Retail Federation. The association’s 2014 economic forecast calls for online sales to grow between 9% and 12%.

A number of factors contributed to NRF’s 2014 economic forecast, including:

Fairway Group Holdings' Herbert Ruetsch plans to retire after 15 years with the company, including the last two years as its CEO. Ruetsch will remain a special adviser to the company and continue to provide input into certain merchandising and product initiatives.

Seattle -- Nordstrom announced plans to close it's store in Lloyd Center Mall, Portland, Ore., and its store in Vancouver Mall, Vancouver, Wash. Both locations will close in January 2015.

"This was a tough decision to make because we've been doing business in Lloyd Center and Vancouver Mall for a long time and we care about the community, our customers and our employyees here," said Ed Nordstrom, president of stores.

Toronto - The Home Depot Canada is currently hiring 6,300 associates across all 180 locations to support its spring season. The company is hiring full-time, part-time and seasonal positions, such as sales associates, cashiers, design professionals, department supervisors and night operators.

Job opportunities are available on a market-by-market basis and are based on individual store needs.

Sidney, Neb. - Cabela’s Inc. has named Donna M. Milrod to its board of directors. Milrod has been the chief administrative officer of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) since October 2012, with responsibilities for DTCC’s finance, operations, regulatory relations, business continuity, vendor management, and security functions.

Cabela’s has appointed Donna M. Milrod to its board of directors.

“Donna is a proven leader and brings a wealth of regulatory, finance, and capital markets experience,” said CEO Tommy Millner. “The board and Cabela’s will greatly benefit from Donna’s insights and knowledge.”

The Home Depot Canada is currently hiring 6,300 employees across all 180 locations to support its busiest season — spring.

"Spring gives us the opportunity to find the best associates, who are passionate about customer service," said Bill Lennie president, the Home Depot Canada. "From Vancouver to St. John's, we are about building meaningful, sustainable careers."

Anheuser-Busch plans to purchase Blue Point Brewing Co., one of the nation's top craft brewers with more than 40 beers and sales concentrated along the East Coast. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Blue Point was founded by Mark Burford and Peter Cotter 15 years ago in Patchogue, N.Y., where the brewery will continue to operate. Anheuser-Busch also plans to invest in the brewery to grow its operational capabilities and enhance the consumer experience in the next few years.

Arlington, Va. -- The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) is encouraged by passage of the Save American Workers Act of 2013 (H.R. 2575) out of the Ways and Means Committee on Tuesday. According to RILA, the act is an important first step in changing the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) definition of full-time employees from 30 hours of service to a definition more in-line with employment practices.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Holdings announced that Norman Miller will join the company as senior VP and president, Automotive. Miller, who most recently served as president and COO of Dollar Financial Corp., will be responsible for the oversight and leadership of the company's automotive business, including Sears Auto Centers.