Labor & Employment

Bridgeview, Ill. -- Rose Paving Co., a leader in national parking lot management, has been named once again a Chicago Tribune Top Workplace for 2011. One hundred companies, organizations, and agencies were honored at an awards ceremony on Nov. 14 hosted by the Chicago Tribune. The awards, given for measured qualities including company leadership, career opportunities, workplace flexibility, and compensation & benefits were presented to Chicago-area companies for the second straight year.

By Todd Feinman, CEO of Identity Finder

AMSTERDAM — Dutch supermarket operator Royal Ahold reported sales of $9.3 billion and profits of $347.8 million in third quarter 2011, the company said.

Those figures represented a 2.5% increase in sales and a 15.2% increase in profits over third quarter 2010.

MEMPHIS — Discount retailer Fred's realized positive third-quarter results, thanks to "strong customer traffic, higher gross margins in its general merchandise and pharmacy departments, as well as improved management of controllable operating costs," Fred's CEO Bruce Efird said.

Total sales for the retailer rose 2% to $444.4 million, compared with the year-ago period, while comparable-store sales were flat. Net income increased 16% to $9 million, compared with last year, while earnings per diluted share rose 20% to 24 cents.

St. Louis -- Brown Shoe Co. said Monday that while profit rose dramatically in the third quarter thanks to a business unit divestiture, the retailer will cut several of its lines and close underperforming stores nationwide to shore up profitability.

LOS ANGELES — American Apparel announced that Tom Casey has resigned as acting president of the company. Casey was appointed in October 2010 to work with Dov Charney and key investors to validate the company’s strategy, improve operating disciplines and optimize the capital structure, the company reported.

LOS ANGELES — American Apparel announced that Tom Casey has resigned as acting president of the company. Casey was appointed in October 2010 to work with Dov Charney and key investors to validate the company’s strategy, improve operating disciplines and optimize the capital structure, the company reported.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Mattel has announced that Robert A. Eckert, 57, will retire as CEO, after 11 years with the company, effective Dec. 31. The board of directors has named Bryan G. Stockton, 58, who has held the position of chief operating officer for the last year, to succeed Eckert as CEO, effective Jan. 1, 2012. Eckert has agreed to continue in his role as chairman of the board, and the board has elected Stockton as a member of the board, effective January 1, 2012.

New York City -- American Eagle Outfitters will pay a signing bonus of $3.3 million along with a base salary of $1 million to its new incoming CEO Robert L. Hanson, the Pittsburgh Business Times reported.

Hanson takes over for the chain’s longtime chief executive James V. O’Donnell, who is set to retire Jan. 28.

Covington, La. -- Stirling Properties announced it has promoted Chris Abadie to VP and manager of the Commercial Brokerage Division after 11 years as a sales and leasing executive with the company.

In his new role, Abadie will oversee all aspects of commercial operations throughout each of Stirling Properties brokerage offices located in Louisiana and Mississippi.