Labor & Employment

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Harris Teeter on Wednesday confirmed an earlier Wall Street Journal report that the grocer was in the process of exploring strategic options. 

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Consumer Electronics Association has issued praise for the U.S. Congress for introducing legislation to establish sales tax fairness.

Suffern, N.Y. -- Ascena Retail Group announced that Linda Heasley has accepted the position of president and CEO of Lane Bryant effective Feb. 18. Heasley joins Lane Bryant division after six years as president and CEO of The Limited. (The Limited has announced a search for a new chief executive.)

New York -- Tiffany & Co. has filed suit against Costco Wholesale Corp., alleging alleges trademark infringement, dilution, counterfeiting, unfair competition, injury to business reputation, false and deceptive business practices and false advertising. Tiffany said it filed the suit “to prevent further sales of counterfeit diamond engagement rings and for damages associated with prior sales.”

New York -- Coach Inc. said that its longtime CEO, Lew Frankfort, will step down in January 2014. He will be succeeded by Victor Luis, head of Coach’s international operations, at which point Frankfort will become executive chairman. Coach named Luis president and chief commercial officer in the interim and said he will also join the board.
 

Columbus, Ohio -- The Limited has established an interim “Office of the President” to manage the day-to-day operations of the business while it searches for a new CEO. The retailer said that its chief executive, Linda Heasley, who joined in 2007, is stepping down to pursue other interests effective Feb. 15.
   
The interim office will be filled by three current executives, John Buell, EVP and CFO; Nicolas Frechette, SVP and general merchandise manager; and William Acevedo, SVP of stores; who will report to the board of directors.

New York -- Richard Schulze, founder of Best Buy Co., may abandon a buyout bid and instead line up investors to take a minority position in the electronics retailer, Reuters reported.
 
Schulze informed the Best Buy board in August that he was interested in partnering with private equity partners to buy the struggling consumer electronics company. But he has been unable to get enough support from banks to finance a deal that would allow him to take it private, the report said.

Ridgefield, Conn. -- Schimenti Construction has added new employees to their staff.

“Our recent growth, and our planning for the future, has resulted in the need to expand our team of construction professionals,” stated Matthew Schimenti, company president.
 
The company has hired Edward Sheeran, project manager; Ryan Lumpuy, superintendent; and Kevin Hanley, estimating coordinator.

Irving, Texas -- Michaels Stores has named Chuck Rubin as CEO and a member of the board of directors. Rubin is currently the president and CEO of Ulta Beauty.

Rubin will assume his new roles after a brief period of transition, at which time Michaels will discontinue the “Office of the Chief Executive Officer,” established on an interim basis in May 2012. Charles "Chuck" Sonsteby, a member of the Office of the CEO, will continue as Michaels’ CFO and chief administrative officer.