Labor & Employment

Shoppers continue to integrate digital devices into their lives and crave an equally integrated experience from retailers, but satisfying this heightened set of ominchannel expectation remains a work in progress for most retailers.

Few retailers have a well-defined omnichannel strategy with most professing to be in the development phase, according to a global consulting firm Hay Group. This rather worrisome insight was among the key findings in global consuling firm Hay Group’s 7th annual holiday hiring survey.

Tractor Supply Company has elected Cynthia T. Jamison to its board of directors. Jamison will succeed James F. Wright as chairman of the board upon the conclusion of Wright's term at the end of the year.

Wright will resign his position as a board member effective December 31, 2013, consistent with his plan to serve as executive chairman of the board with a term of one year, as previously announced in September 2012.

Wolverine Worldwide has appointed Ira P. Hernowitz as president of the Stride Rite Children's Group.

Hernowitz most recently served as EVP of "R" Us Brands for Toys “R” Us, Inc. He has served in a variety of leadership roles throughout his career, and deep experience in children's products.

A desire to improve operational efficiency and capitalize on scale were cited as reasons for several senior level executive moves at Dollar General.

The retailer recently surpassed 11,000 units and chairman and CEO Rick Dreiling said the enhanced management structure involving Todd Vasos and David D’Arezzo would align the company for continued future growth.

Carlisle, Pa. -- Ahold USA announced that Gordon Reid will join the company’s Giant-Landover division as president, effective Nov. 4. He most recently served as group director for commercial services for Dairy Farm International, which operates more than 5,600 retail outlets throughout Asia.

Reid replaces Bhavdeep Singh, who has served as interim president since September. Singh continues to serve as executive VP, operations, Ahold USA.

Columbus, Ohio -- Big Lots will close down its wholesale operations — Big Lots Wholesale, Consolidated International and Wisconsin Toy — by the end of its current fiscal year as it concentrates its focus on its retail stores. The shuttering will result in the liquidation of the wholesale unit's inventory.

Naperville, Ill. -- The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has approved the merger of Office Max Inc. and Office Depot, the retailers said in a joint statement on Friday. The companies anticipate completing the transaction after market close on November 5, 2013.  

Walmart U.S. president and CEO Bill Simon and Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker announced at the SelectUSA 2013 Investment Summit that three suppliers have made new domestic manufacturing commitments that will create 385 jobs.

The move is part of the retailer’s previously announced pledge to buy an additional $50 billion in U.S.-made products over the next decade.

Walmart said that Elan-Polo, Louis Hornick & Company and EveryWare Global will produce footwear, curtains and glassware, respectively.

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has given Office Max and Office Depot clearance to proceed with their proposed merger. The companies anticipate completing the transaction after market close on Nov. 5, subject to the satisfaction of remaining closing conditions.

Ahold USA has appointed former executive for Asian retailer Dairy Farm International Gordon Reid as president of its Giant Food of Landover, Md., division.

Reid is replacing interim president and Ahold USA EVP operations Bhavdeep Singh. Singh served in the role of interim president following the departure of Anthony Hucker, who resigned from Giant-Landover in September to become EVP and chief strategy officer for St. Louis-based Schnuck Markets.