Labor & Employment

New York -- A federal judge in Denver gave Hollister Co. until Jan. 1, 2017, to modify its store entrances to make them wheelchair accessible, according to an advocacy group for the disabled, at a rate of 77 stores per year, the Associated Press reported.  

The entrances of some Hollister locations are designed to resemble a front porch, complete with steps. 

Washington, D.C. -- The National Retail Federation and the Retail Association of Nevada hosted Rep. Mark Amodei, R-Nev., at a retail roundtable discussion. More than a dozen community retailers and small business owners gathered to address the industry’s challenges and public policy priorities.

New York -- Walmart is expanding its omni-channel integration by testing the use of lockers to fill online orders, company officials said during the chain’s second-quarter earnings call on Thursday.

“While this test is still in the early stages, the initial read on customer satisfaction and acceptance is very encouraging, with 90% of the customers who have used the service providing positive feedback,” Walmart U.S. CEO Bill Simon said during the call.

While second quarter sales were less than expected, one area where Walmart exceeded plan was expenses incurred related to Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and compliance matters.

The company said it spent $82 million on efforts in those areas compared to the $65 million to $70 million it though it would spend at the start of the year. Expenses during the first half of the year totaled $155 million.

The National Retail Federation and the Retail Association of Nevada hosted Rep. Mark Amodei, R-Nev., at a retail roundtable discussion. More than a dozen community retailers and small business owners gathered to address the industry’s challenges and public policy priorities.

LAS VEGAS — SMTP, Inc., a global provider of email delivery services, has appointed Jon Strimling as CEO of the company.

"Jon is a proven executive and entrepreneur, with a track record of driving revenue and earnings growth," stated Semyon Dukach, chairman of SMTP. "His deep experience in operations, marketing and e-commerce will prove invaluable as he leads SMTP through its next phase of growth."

NEW YORK — EyeLock Inc., a leading provider of iris-based identity authentication products and technology, has appointed Michael Fiorito as VP of enterprise accounts.

In this role, Fiorito will be responsible for managing all enterprise accounts and helping spearhead business development efforts which will expand EyeLock's footprint in the United States.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — United Stationers has announced that SVP and CFO Fareed Khan has decided to leave the company to accept a position with another firm.  

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Terminix has entered the Canadian pest control market with the acquisition of substantially all the assets of Toronto-based Magical Pest Control. It is the first Canadian asset acquisition for the company.

Founded in 1997, Magical Pest Control is one of the largest pest control companies in Ontario. It specializes in commercial accounts and the property management sector, while also treating residential customers. The Toronto company, headed by president Mark Joseph, served customers throughout Ontario and eastern Canada.

Littleton, Mass. -- Dover Saddlery, a multichannel retailer of equestrian products, announced the hiring of James Cullen to the newly created position of executive VP.

Cullen has over twenty five years of leadership experience in operations, finance and marketing, with particular expertise in the retail and distribution sectors including most recently, among others, Bakers Footwear Inc., and Reeds Jeweler, Inc.