Labor & Employment

BATAVIA, Ill. - Deep-discount grocer Aldi is ramping up its U.S. expansion. The company plans to open 650 new stores across the country, including expanding to Southern California, bringing its total number of U.S. stores to nearly 2,000 by the end of 2018.   

Alco Stores is offering retailers a cautionary holiday tale this Christmas as going-out-of-business sales have begun at the regional discounter’s 198 locations.

By Phillip M. Perry New York  - Blue skies and cool breezes.  That’s the economic forecast as the calendar turns for a new year. Retailers looking to bolster revenues and profits over the next 12 months should benefit from a gradual improvement in the ability and willingness of shoppers to spend.   

Washington, D.C. - The National Retail Federation (NRF) supports immigration reform, but does not think President Obama’s executive action on immigration regulations is the right approach.   The NRF has issued a statement from president and CEO Matthew Shay on the announcement that President Obama will issue a series of executive actions on immigration:  

Enhanced onmichannel capabilities were among the factors that incoming Foot Locker CEO Dick Johnson cited as contributing to the company’s increase in third quarter profits and same store sales.

Profits for the third quarter climbed to $120 million, or 82 cents per share, compared with profits of $104 million, or 70 cents per share, in the prior-year quarter. Third quarter same store sales increased 6.9% to $1.7 billion this year, compared with sales of $1.6 billion for the prior-year period.

Washington, D.C. - The National Retail Federation  asking President Obama to step into continuing labor unrest at the nation’s West Coast ports. The NRF has issued a statement its president and CEO, Matthew Shay, following reports that the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and Pacific Maritime Association are taking a break from contract negotiations.  

FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif. - The Wet Seal announced that Thomas R. Hillebrandt will assume the role of interim CFO, effective December 1, 2014, concurrent with the previously announced resignation of Steven H. Benrubi, the company’s current CFO.   Hillebrandt has served as VP and corporate controller at Wet Seal since September 2013.   

Omaha, Neb. – Gordmans Stores Inc. has named Lisa Evans as executive VP and chief merchandising officer effective Jan. 5, 2015. Evans was most recently the executive VP and brand leader for children’s apparel brand Carters, and previously was senior VP and general merchandising manager with Macy's.   Evans’ earlier experience included a variety of senior merchandising leadership roles with the Kaufmann's and Foley's divisions of the former May Company.