Labor & Employment

Paris -- Carrefour, the second largest retailer in the world after Wal-Mart Stores, has selected French retailing veteran Georges Plassat, 62, as its next CEO and chairman.

Walmart makes a big deal out of its culture, and as a result it invites criticism whenever changes are made to long-standing company policies that are somehow seen as diminishing the culture. That was the case again this week when reports surfaced that people greeters working the overnight shift had been reassigned other duties.

Walmart opened its second supercenter in Chicago this week, and the only thing missing from the press release announcing the new store was a quote from President Obama praising the company as a job creator.

Instead, Walmart had to settle for some kind words from Chicago mayor and former Obama chief of staff Rohm Emanuel.

Rona, the largest chain of home improvement retailers and distributors in Canada, has appointed Dave Carr to the position of VP retail, Western Canada, and François Hardy to the position of VP dealer-owner network development.

After beginning as an employee of a TOTEM store lumberyard in 1992, Carr quickly climbed the ranks to become assistant manager, then store manager. After managing several stores in Alberta, Carr became a regional manager, then general manager, and finally VP of TOTEM in 2008, three years after Rona's acquisition of the company.

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Lowe’s has announced that Richard Dreiling has joined its board of directors. He will serve on the board’s audit and governance committees. The announcement brings Lowe’s board of directors to 12 members, 11 of whom are independent.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Meijer announced Friday the appointment of J.K. Symancyk to the newly created role of COO for the company, along with the addition of Peter Whitsett to the Meijer team as EVP merchandising and marketing.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said Friday it has reorganized reporting relationships, putting its U.S. marketing team under the leadership of the chief merchandising officer. Marketing currently operates as a separate group and the move, said Wal-Mart, is designed to improve shopper communication.

The new plan will have U.S. chief marketing officer Stephen Quinn reporting to U.S. chief merchandising officer Duncan Mac Naughton. Before the change, Quinn reported to Bill Simon, Wal-Mart U.S. president and CEO.

Grand Rapids, Mich. -- Meijer said Friday it has appointed J.K. Symancyk to the newly created role of COO. The grocery and superstore retailer has also hired Peter Whitsett as executive VP of merchandising and marketing.

Symancyk will report directly to Mark Murray, president of Meijer, and will have three direct reports: Janet Emerson, executive VP of retail operations; Rick Keyes, executive VP of supply chain and manufacturing; and Peter Whitsett, who is operating in the role previously held by Symancyk.

Mooresville, N.C. -- Lowe’s Cos. said Friday it has appointed Richard Dreiling, CEO and chairman of Dollar General Corp., to its board of directors. He will serve on the board’s audit and governance committees.

Dreiling has also served in corner-office positions for Duane Read, Longs Drug, Safeway and Vons.
 

New York City -- French retailer Carrefour is in advanced talks to replace its CEO, according to The New York Times.

The board of the company is talking with Georges Plassat to replace its current CEO, Lars Olofsson, the report said. Plassat is chief executive of Vivarte, the Paris-based owner of retail clothing chains and shoe stores including Kookai, Chevignon and Naf Naf.