Labor & Employment

Quincy, Mass. -- Grocer Stop & Shop said it will close its six Stop & Shop banners and three gas stations in New Hampshire by Sept. 21, marking the chain’s exit from the state.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Limited has appointed former Brooks Brothers executive Diane Ellis as the company’s CEO, effective August 26.

Ellis was president and chief operating officer of Brooks Brothers for six years. She oversaw information technology, human resources, retail and outlet stores, planning and allocation, product development, sourcing, supply chain, e-commerce and finance.

Menomonee Falls, Wis. – Law firm Levi & Korsinsky has commenced a class-action lawsuit against Kohl’s Corporation in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The suit has been filed on behalf of investors who purchased Kohl's commons stock during the period between February 26, 2009 and September 13, 2011.

Dayton, Ohio -- Retail design firm Interbrand Design Forum has announced seven new hires to support its continued growth. Staff additions include three new members to the environmental design team, a fixture specialist and several supporting staff members.

Ryan Slicer has been named Senior Environmental Designer. Previously he worked with WD Partners.

Amanda Handermann joins as an Environmental Designer. Before coming to Interbrand Design Forum she co-founded the Wig Wam Collaborative, a multi-disciplinary freelance design team.

Boca Raton, Fla. – Office Depot sent its shareholders a letter this morning urging them to vote for its 10 nominees for the board of directors at its annual shareholders meeting on Aug. 21. The letter says that nominees from activist investor Starboard Value LP could disrupt progress and momentum in the ongoing OfficeMax merger and also prevent future synergies from the merger as well as make excessive cuts in critical business functions.

Officer Depot sent a similar letter to its shareholders on July 29.

Peoria, Ill. — Cullinan Properties has announced the appointment of Masood Aini as VP investments in the company’s Chicago office.

With eight years of commercial real estate experience, Aini comes to the firm from Trevi Retail in New York, where he served as director of acquisitions and Leasing responsible for internal leasing efforts and the sourcing, underwriting and valuing of Manhattan retail condominiums and mixed-use assets.

Chelmsford, Mass. -- Forever 21 has tapped workforce management solution-provider Kronos Inc. for a global solution to address multinational needs and standardize the specialty retailer’s brand experience delivery across the world.

Naperville, Ill. – OfficeMax had a generally difficult second quarter of 2013, with declining total and same-store sales and a net loss. The retailer is also predicting more disappointing results for the upcoming two fiscal quarters.