Labor & Employment

Woonsocket, R.I. -- CVS Caremark on Tuesday released an economic impact study of its contribution to the economy of its headquarters state of Rhode Island.

The Pricewaterhouse Coopers-conducted study showed that the company's Rhode Island operations contributed more than $1.2 billion to Rhode Island's GDP in 2010, approximately 12,000 jobs, $831 million in labor income, and $116 million in state and local taxes.

AUSTIN, Texas — Whole Foods has promoted two of its regional presidents to new roles.

SUNBURY, Pa. — Weis Markets on Monday reported an increase in 2011 sales of 5% to $2.8 billion.

Weis said its comparable sales for the calendar year also were up, increasing 4.2% for 2011, compared with the year-ago period.

SUNBURY, Pa. — Weis Markets on Monday announced it has entered into an agreement to purchase three Pennsylvania-based Genuardi's stores from Safeway.

"We're extremely pleased to be adding these stores to our store base," Weis Markets president and CEO David Hepfinger said. "We look forward to serving these communities as the lead local merchant as we have in 33 counties throughout central, eastern and Northeastern Pennsylvania. We will also be reaching out to the associates of these stores to discuss employment with our company."

Target is looking to get ahead of the curve in major media markets by placing communications executives in such places as Dallas, Los Angeles, New York and Toronto in addition to those at the Minneapolis home office, Ad Age reported on Monday.

Austin, Texas -- Whole Foods Market announced that two regional presidents, David Lannon and Ken Meyer, have been promoted to executive VPs of operations, joining the executive leadership team. The company's 12 regional presidents will report to them.

AUSTIN, Texas — Michael Besancon, senior global VP purchasing, distribution and communications for Whole Foods Market, will retire from the company after more than 17 years of service.

Recently departed Sam’s Club president and CEO Brian Cornell is a little like legendary Cleveland Browns running back Jim Brown in that both walked away from their professions at the height of their careers. However, unlike Brown who gave up football for good after his best season ever, no one is expecting Cornell to stay retired.

New York City -- J.C. Penney has dropped its plans to open a store in the Kress Building downtown Seattle, according to The Seattle Times.

The chain signed a lease last May for two-thirds of the building, but the space is now being shopped around for sublease, the report said.

"This had nothing to do with Seattle or the location. The timing just did not match up with their new CEO," Seattle Pacific Realty broker Elizabeth Best, who is representing J.C. Penney in its search for a sublease tenant, said in the report.

New York City -- Walmart, Office Depot and Macy’s were the only three retailers listed among The National Association for Female Executives list of the "Top 50 Companies for Executive Women."

According to NAFE, women represent 53% of the employees at these companies, on average. Women make up 23% of the board of directors at the NAFE Top 50, versus 16% across the boards of companies in the Fortune 500. In addition, women make up 22% of the executive level at companies in the NAFE Top 50, versus 14% across Fortune 500 companies.