Labor & Employment

Mississauga, Ontario -- Walmart Canada has appointed an executive from Delhaize Group, Dirk Van den Berghe, as president and CEO, effective Aug. 1.

Van den Berghe, who has 30 years of international business experience, most recently served as CEO of Delhaize’s Belgium and Luxembourg operations. His appointment at Walmart was seen as a way for the discounter to strengthen its grocery business in Canada.

Wayne, N.J. – Toys “R” Us, Inc. announced that it has named Michael J. Short executive CFO, effective June 23.
 
Short, 53, a seasoned finance executive with broad retail and corporate development experience, was most recently executive VP and CFO of AutoNation for seven years.
 

Melville, N.Y. - Global Facility Management & Construction has hired Stacy Brown as director, strategic planning and development. In her new role, Brown will oversee determining Global’s strategic policy as it relates to future business.

Brown was a key member of the executive team at ServiceChannel for the past 15 years. Prior to ServiceChannel, she worked for a large retailer in facilities management and construction.
 

Brussels – Major multinational retailers such as Starbucks and Apple will have to start paying higher taxes in Europe, thanks to a move by the European Union (E.U.) to end certain tax breaks it has now defined as “state aid,” which is prohibited by E.U. bylaws. These breaks, which member nations including Ireland, Luxembourg, and Netherlands have used to allow some types of profit to be classified as tax-deductible debt, had come under fire from other E.U. nations and the U.S.

Mark Phillips was elevated to the role of VP of pharmaceutical merchandising at Walmart after previously serving as the retailer’s senior director of merchandising for small formats.

The Indianapolis suburb of Plainview will be home to Walmart’s newest dedicated e-commerce fulfillment center when the 1.2 million-sq.-ft. facility opens early next year.

The retailer indicated in early June that Indiana would be home to its third e-commerce fulfillment center but did not identify the community at the time. Walmart’s other online dedicated centers are located in Texas and Pennsylvania. The newest facility will employ approximately 300 people with hiring expected to begin in October.

Coppell, Texas – Alco Stores Inc. reported a net loss of $8.1 million in the first quarter of its fiscal year, up from a loss of $1.7 million in the year-ago period, amid an elimination of a tax benefit. The company also announced its CFO has left the company.

Net sales decreased 4.1% to $104.7 million, compared to $109.2 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2014. Same-store sales, excluding fuel centers, decreased 7.1%. Alco president and CEO Richard Wilson cited several ongoing initiatives as providing promise for future performance.

New York -- Coach plans to shutter about 70 underperforming stores in fiscal 2015, Crain’s New York reported. The retailer, which has been under heavy competitive pressure from Michael Kors and other upscale companies, also gave a disappointing revenue forecast for its current fiscal year.