Labor & Employment

Sears Canada, which laid off more than 1,300 employees on Jan. 15, is cutting an additional 624 jobs. The retailer said it is modifying its store structure to improve efficiency and increase the effectiveness of the chain of communication between management and the store associate teams within the stores.

Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores has promoted Tony Carosello to VP, real estate. Carosello, previously director of real estate operations for the company, will report to Jim Kerr, EVP, CFO.

Walmart Supercenters in California benefit communities by supporting additional job creation, small business growth and more robust sales tax revenues, according to a new economic impact report.

The study was conducted by economist Lon Hatamiya of the Hatamiya Group and the results were announced by Walmart, which is sure to cause opponents of the company to question the validity of the results. That said, key findings of the study show the following:

Intrix Technology, a leading payment processor, has named Peter N. Matino as chief sales officer, a newly created position.

In his new role, Matino is responsible for building a nationwide sales organization and executing an integrated sales strategy as well as developing and executing corporate marketing strategies.

Fort Wayne, Ind. -- Do it Best Corp. announced that VP of retail logistics John Snider will retire, effective June 30, 2014. The company’s VP of marketing, Tim Miller, will move into the role.

Cincinnati -- The Kroger Co. said it has completed its acquisition of Harris Teeter Supermarkets for about $2.5 billion. Under the terms of the merger agreement, Harris Teeter shareholders will receive $49.38 per share of Harris Teeter common stock.

Minneapolis – Target has won a case against non-profit group Canvass for a Cause in the Superior Court of the State of California, San Diego. Target sought and received the right to prohibit groups or individuals from using its property for expressive activity, as well as a judgment for trespass alleging that Canvass for a Cause and individuals associated with it have come onto Target property without authorization to do so and have refused to leave.

Los Angeles — CBRE Group has promoted Curt Grantham to president, global corporate services, Americas. In his new post, Grantham will oversee client management and account operations as well as all GCS regional leadership in the Americas. He will report to Jim Wilson, global chief operating officer, GCS, CBRE.

In his new position, Grantham will join CBRE’s Americas operations management board. He will continue to serve on CBRE’s GCS executive committee.

Leading global brand extension agency Beanstalk has promoted Allison Ames to president of the company. In her new role, Ames will assume many of the day-to-day leadership and operational responsibilities for the company globally.

She will also work alongside CEO Michael Stone on many of the company’s short and long-term strategic growth initiatives.

President Obama in his State of the Union address last night said he plans to sign an executive order increasing the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $10.10 per hour for workers on new government contracts and asked Congress to approve the same increase for all workers — and the National Retail Federation is not happy.

NRF president and CEO Matthew Shay issued a response ahead of the president’s address.