Labor & Employment

New Albany, Ohio - Abercrombie & Fitch Co. is separating its chairman and CEO roles and expanding its board's size to 12 members. The teen retailer is also terminating its shareholder rights plan.

New York – The Manhattan district attorney’s office has brought federal money laundering charges against two men involved in exchanging Bitcoin virtual currency. According to media reports, Bitcoin exchanger Robert M. Faiella, 52, and Charlie Shrem, 24, the CEO of the Bitcoin exchange company BitInstant, have been charged with conspiring to commit money laundering and operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business.

Atlanta -- Atlanta based retail design agency, Miller Zell, has expanded its design team and appointed Tom Ertler as as senior VP/design director leading environmental design initiatives. He joins the company from his most recent role as a founding partner with Authentic Retail Group, Pasadena, Calif., an integrated brand development firm. Prior to that, he was creative director at Envision, the full-service environmental design studio of Palladeo.

The search for a new CEO to lead Crocs is set to intensify now that the iconic footwear manufacturer has resolved its board structure with the addition of two representatives from private equity firm Blackstone Group.

Dublin, Calif. – Ross Stores, Inc. has promoted Michael Hartshorn, 46 is being promoted to CFO, retaining his senior VP title, effective Feb. 2, 2014. Hartshorn will be responsible for the accounting, treasury, financial planning, tax, risk management and investor relations functions.

Ross Stores has promoted Michael Hartshorn to CFO, retaining his SVP title, effective Feb. 2. Hartshorn will be responsible for the accounting, treasury, financial planning, tax, risk management and investor relations functions.  

As CFO, he will continue to report to John Call, group SVP, finance and legal, and corporate secretary.

New York -- Consumer confidence increased in January for the second consecutive month, rising to 80.7 from 77.5 in December, according to The Conference Board. Economists had expected a smaller increase, to 79. It was the second consecutive increase.

New York -- The Retail Industry Leaders Association elected Richard Dreiling, chairman and CEO of Dollar General, as the new chairman of its board of directors.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to serve as board chairman for RILA and to work with this exceptional group of retail leaders to strengthen our industry,” said Dreiling. “RILA is a critical strategic partner in empowering our industry to speak with one voice to champion issues that affect the retail sector, our workforce and our valued customers.”