Labor & Employment

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation said it welcomed legislation that would require the State Department to speed up the visa application process for citizens from three key countries, saying the move would make it easier for tourists and business travelers to spend money in U.S. stores.

WAYNE, N.J. — Toys"R"Us announced that it plans to hire more than 40,000 employees to staff its U.S. stores and distribution centers this holiday season, as the company anticipates another busy Christmas across all of its shopping channels. This number is in line with previous years, when the company hired between 35,000 and 45,000 seasonal workers. Throughout the coming months, the company said it will continue to assess its staffing needs and add more employees, as necessary.

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Office Depot has launched a new line of exclusive office chairs from the Style@Work by Thomasville collection. According to the company, the Style@Work by Thomasville collection provides customers with luxury home office chairs at an affordable price, and are currently available at nationwide Office Depot retail store locations and online at www.officedepot.com.

Wayne, N.J. -- Toys “R” Us said Thursday that it will hire more than 40,000 employees to staff its U.S. stores and distribution centers this holiday season. In addition, employment opportunities will be available at the company’s 10 distribution centers, including the newest facility in McCarran, Nev.

Toys “R” Us’ 2011 holiday hires are in line with previous years, when the company hired between 35,000 and 45,000 seasonal workers.

Washington, D.C. -- The National Retail Federation said Thursday it welcomed legislation that would require the State Department to speed up the visa application process for citizens from three key countries, saying the move would make it easier for tourists and business travelers to spend money in U.S. stores.

Montreal -- Jewelry chain Birks & Mayors said Wednesday that its president and CEO Tom Andruskevich has said he will resign from the company, effective spring 2012, and will continue in a new board role as vice chairman.

His spring 2012 resignation is contingent upon the naming of a successor. He said he is leaving because he wants to pursue “board positions and advisory roles for luxury brands and other high-end companies.”

Andruskevich joined the company in his current capacity in June 1996.
 

Irvine, Calif. -- Pet retailer Passionate Pets said Thursday it has named Keith Martin, former senior VP operations at Petco, to its board of directors.

The company also named Todd Peterson, CPA at KSNE2 Enterprises, to the board.

The company is preparing for an IPO and, according to its president and CEO John Dunn, who worked with Martin at both Petco and Office Depot, the pair is expected to help lead Passionate Pet through the IPO stage.
 

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Express announced Wednesday that it has promoted Matthew Moellering to the position of COO and appointed D. Paul Dascoli as CFO.  Moellering was previously chief administration officer and CFO.  

Prior to Moellering's role as chief administration officer and CFO, he held a number of senior finance positions including CFO since he joined Express in 2006. Before joining Express, he served in various financial positions with Limited Brands and Procter & Gamble. Prior to that, he was an officer in the United States Army.

Former Walmart chief information officer and current HP executive Linda Dillman was among a group of 10 executives honored earlier this week as the inaugural class diversity difference-makers was inducted into the Network of Executive Women CPG Retail Diversity Hall of Fame. The inductees received the William J. Grize Award named after the late president and CEO of Ahold USA whose early support of NEW is credited with jumpstarting the organization, which now includes nearly 5,000 members and 400 companies. Grize died in January 2010 at the age of 63 after a short illness.

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — Gap Inc. announced that its Personal Advancement and Career Enhancement program was recognized by former President Bill Clinton at the Clinton Global Initiative, held in New York City.  Bob Fisher, son of Gap Inc. founders Doris and Don Fisher and a Gap Inc. board member, accepted the honor on behalf of the company.