Labor & Employment

New York City -- A report released Thursday by Bloomberg said that consumer confidence in the United States slumped last week to the second-lowest level on record.

The Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index dropped to minus 53 in the period ended Sept. 25 from minus 52.1 the prior week. Similar readings were reached three times in the first half of 2009 and surpassed only by all-time lows of minus 54 plumbed in November 2008 and again in January 2009.

MINNEAPOLIS — While other retailers are beefing up their sales staff ahead of the holiday season, Best Buy Co. said Tuesday that it has cut its 2011 seasonal hiring plans to about half of last year’s staff numbers, in a move to curtail costs. This year’s plans call for 15,000 holiday workers, compared with 29,000 hired last year.

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. — Kohl’s Department Stores has announced the grand opening of 30 new stores across 20 states. According to the company, these openings will create approximately 4,000 new jobs.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — In her new role as president and CEO of Walmart Canada, Shelley Broader will be tasked with addressing new competition from Target and other retailers expanding into Canada. Broader, who joined Walmart Canada in 2010 as chief merchandising officer, will assume her new role effective immediately.

Prior to Walmart, Broader held a range of key positions with Michael's and Hannaford Bros.Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

VEVEY, Switzerland — Wan Ling Martello, who currently serves as Walmart's EVP global e-commerce of emerging markets, has been named EVP and CFO of Nestlé, effective April 1, 2012. Martello will replace Jim Singh will retire in March 2012 after 35 years with the company.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Store announced the appointment of David Cheesewright as executive VP, president and CEO of a new regional management team. In this newly created role, he will lead Walmart's retail operations in Canada, the United Kingdom and Sub-Saharan Africa, and will oversee business development in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Canada.

Cheesewright will assume his role immediately and report directly to Doug McMillon, president and CEO, Walmart International.

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Lowe's announced that for the 2011 to 2012 school year it will donate more than $4 million to support education. 

Through its Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation, the company is providing funds for school systems across America through Lowe’s Toolbox for Education grants; Teach for America; Project L.I.F.T; Hispanic Scholarship Fund; Thurgood Marshall College Fund; Lowe’s Scholarships and Carl Buchan Scholarships.

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Office Depot has fired the president of its international business for "having an improper relationship."

Charlie Brown, president of the international division, has left the organization, effective Monday, the company announced in a press release.

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Family Dollar Stores announced that it has named Michael Bloom to the position of president and COO and promoted Dorlisa Flur to the position of vice chair strategy and chief administrative officer. Both Bloom and Flur will report to Howard Levine, chairman and CEO. These appointments follow the announced retirement of R. James Kelly as Family Dollar’s president and COO after 15 years with the company.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — Staples has promoted Christine Komola to CFO effective Feb. 1, 2012. She will report to John Mahoney, Staples’ vice chairman. The responsibilities of the CFO will transition to Komola the next year.