Labor & Employment

NEW YORK — Hudson’s Bay Company has reached a deal to buy Saks Inc. The Canadian retail conglomerate, which operates Lord & Taylor in the United States and Hudson Bay in Canada, will purchase Saks and its 41 stores for a total of about $2.9 billion. Purchase price includes $16 per share of Saks as well as the assumption of Saks’ debt.

DALLAS — Bridgett Zeterberg, general counsel and secretary of Zale Corporation, has been promoted to SVP, general counsel and secretary. Zeterberg joined Zale in September 2010 and became general counsel and secretary in February 2012. Zeterberg is responsible for all legal, compliance and contractual matters, as well as corporate and board governance. She will continue to report to Theo Killion, CEO.

SEATTLE — As Amazon prepares one of its distribution warehouses for a visit from President Barack Obama, and the economy continues on its path toward recovery, the Internet retailer has announced plans to create more than 5,000 new full-time jobs in its U.S. fulfillment network to meet growing customer demand. 

BOCA RATON, Fla. — In a letter to shareholders, the board of directors of Office Depot Inc. said it has made significant progress toward a successful closing of the planned merger with OfficeMax by the end of this year. The letter also urges shareholders to support the board’s 10 nominees for the company’s board of directors.

DALLAS — Zale Corporation has promoted Bridgett Zeterberg to the position of SVP, general counsel and secretary. Zeterberg joined Zale in September 2010 and became general counsel and secretary in February 2012.

She is responsible for all legal, compliance and contractual matters, as well as corporate and board governance. She will continue to report to Theo Killion, CEO.

Seattle -- Amazon said it will hire more than 5,000 full-time workers in its U.S. fulfillment centers and 2,000 customer service staff, including part-time and seasonal employees, to meet growing customer demand.

The company said it will immediately begin hiring at 17 fulfillment centers for tasks that include picking items from warehouse shelves, packing them for delivery and operating new technology installed to streamline operations.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Electrolux Major Appliances North America has named Daren Couture as SVP of end-to-end supply chain. Couture will oversee the company’s supply chain and nine manufacturing facilities in North America, including the newest cooking appliances facility located in Memphis, Tenn. 

CHICAGO — Grainger, a leading broad-line supplier of maintenance, repair and operating products serving businesses and institutions, has appointed Dr. Michael Ali as the company’s SVP and CIO. He replaces Tim Ferrarell, who has assumed the new role of SVP, innovation and continuous improvement.