Labor & Employment

New York -- Amazon remains the world's most trusted retailer despite widespread criticism of its tax affairs and labor disputes.

The Internet giant topped a poll of 30,000 consumers in nine countries although the research by OC&C, unveiled on the closing day of the World Retail Congress, revealed that “its crown has very much slipped.”

Consumers were asked to rank nearly 600 retailers on a range of factors such as trust, value for money, service, product, and multichannel capability.

Changes in foreign exchange rates had a negative impact on Costco’s comparable store sales for the fourth quarter ended Sept. 1, but the wholesaler still reported increases in both its U.S. and international markets.

The company’s comparable sales for the quarter increased 5%. U.S. comparable store sales increased 5% for the quarter, while international comparable store sales increased 4%.

Salt Lake City -- Overstock.com has announced the opening of a distribution center in Jonestown, Pa. The new operation will enable faster fulfillment through state-of-the-art warehouse technologies, while providing room for growth. The new center will fill orders to customers from Maine to Florida within two days.

Initially, the Jonestown warehouse will bring 15 jobs to the area with additional jobs as the operation grows over the next few years. The company’s primary warehouse will remain in Salt Lake City.

Plano, Texas -- J.C. Penney Co. announced that departing Saks Inc. CEO and chairman Stephen Sadove has been elected to its board of directors.

Sadove's  election is effective upon his leaving Saks, which will occur once the acquisition of the upscale department store by Hudson's Bay Company is completed, which is expected by the end of the year.

Sadove is a highly regarded industry veteran. He is the current chairman of the National Retail Federation.

New York -- Walmart and Lowe’s have joined the Pacific Business Group on Health Negotiating Alliance (PBGH-NA) to launch the national Employers Centers of Excellence Network that will offer no-cost knee and hip-replacement surgeries for employees at four highly regarded hospitals in the United States.

International Dispensing Corporation, a packaging research and development company that specializes and manufactures game-changing innovations for the food and beverage industry, has promoted Tom Shaver to COO.

Indianapolis — Simon Property Group has announced the addition of two executives and promotions within its Premium Outlets division.

Atlanta -- HoneyBaked is gearing up for the holiday season. The company is preparing for its annual rush on its signature food products by providing part-time jobs for thousands of people nationwide. The company anticipates hiring 10,000 seasonal associates, increasing its workforce by 200%.