Labor & Employment

Los Angeles -- CBRE Group said it has appointed Blake R. Hastings as managing director of its Minneapolis office, effective January 1, 2013.

Hastings succeeds Whit Peyton, who will be stepping down after more than two decades of service.

In his new position, Hastings will be responsible for overseeing all CBRE’s operations in Minnesota.

New York -- Starbucks Coffee Co. is considering changes to its tax practices in the U.K. in the wake of criticism from lawmakers, tax campaigners and the media, according to Reuters.

A Reuters examination of Starbucks accounts that was made public in October showed that the chain had reported 13 years of losses at its U.K. unit, even as it told investors the operation was profitable and among the best performing of its overseas markets, the report said.

Hampstead, Md. -- JoS. A. Bank Clothiers announced the opening of its 600th store, in the Shops at Midtown Miami on North Miami Avenue in Miami. The company said it expects to open another 200 stores in the future as part of its long-term plan to grow the chain to approximately 800 stores, including 700 full-line stores and 100 factory stores in the United States.

Walmart moved its quarterly dividend payment up a few days so it would fall in 2012, but Costco took tax avoidance to a new level this week.

In anticipation that tax rates on dividends will rise next year as the federal government flounders for ways to raise revenue rather cut spending, a flurry of companies are paying one time dividends or adjusting payment dates. Walmart falls into the latter camp and said its 39.75 cent per share payment scheduled for January 2 would instead be paid on December 27.

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. — Johnson & Johnson has elected Alex Gorsky as its new chairman, board of directors, effective December 28. Gorsky, who was appointed CEO in April of this year, replaces current chairman Bill Weldon, who was with the company for 41 years.

Atlanta, Ga. — Fashion basics brand Alternative Apparel appointed Erik Joule as its president and CMO, effective January 7, 2013.

Joule will be based out of the company’s design office in Los Angeles, where he will report directly to CEO Evan Toporek and work closely with founder and CCO Greg Alterman.
 

Minneapolis -- Christopher & Banks said its net income totaled $3.6 million for the quarter ended Oct.27, compared with a loss $13.7 million in the year-age period.

Revenue rose 2%, to $117.3 million from $114.6 million. The chain has closed more than 100 stores during the last year, but strong sales at its existing locations boosted revenue. Same-store sales rose 13.7%.

Christopher & Banks noted that effective Nov.26, LuAnn Via joined the company as president and CEO.

Women’s specialty retailer Coldwater Creek said co-founder, chairman and CEO Dennis Pence will relinquish his role of CEO at year end.

Replacing Pence and joining the board of directors of the Sandpoint, Idaho-based chain will be Jill Brown Dean, the company’s current president and chief merchandising officer. Assuming Dean’s role will be Michele Donnan Martin who joins the company as SVP/GMM responsible for all merchandising functions.

NEW YORK — James Gallagher was named CFO at Bluefly, an online retailer of designer brands founded in 1998 in the heart of New York’s fashion district.

Gallagher comes to Bluefly with more than 33 years of  financial, strategic and operations experience with growth oriented international, entrepreneurial and corporate entities across a broad range of industries, including Internet-focused marketing, e-commerce, entertainment and technology companies.

SALT LAKE CITY — Black Diamond, a provider of outdoor recreation equipment and active lifestyle products, beefed up its senior leadership team with four new hires. The newly created positions are intended to bolster the company’s operational and sales teams, domestically and internationally.

"These four exceptional new hires mark the culmination of our two-year process to invest in the people necessary to support our global platform," said Peter Metcalf, president and CEO of Black Diamond.