Labor & Employment

CINCINNATI -- Procter & Gamble announced that Keith Harrison, global product supply officer, will retire effective Sept. 1, after more than 41 years of service.  Until his retirement, Harrison will serve as officer on special assignment, reporting to Bob McDonald, chairman of the board, president and CEO.

The company announced that Yannis Skoufalos currently VP product supply, global operations, has been elected global product supply officer, succeeding Harrison effective July 1.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- The Walmart Foundation announced that is committing more than $2.5 million in grants to various projects aimed at improving the lives of women in Latin America. 

"We believe that when women achieve economic empowerment, their voices are also empowered," said Eduardo Solorzano, president and CEO of Walmart Latinoamerica. "So not only will they be able to create more stable futures for their families, they will play transformational roles in bettering the lives of women and children across Latin America."

Shareholders of Wal-Mart de Mexico elected three new female board members at the company’s annual meeting yesterday, bringing to six the number of women on the company’s eleven-member board.

The new members include Shelley Broader, chief merchandising officer of Walmart Canada, Olga Gonzalez, Walmart’s VP audit services for Latin America and Kristin Oliver, SVP people for the Walmart International division. Other women on the board include Cathy Smith, Blanca Trevino and Kristin Oliver.

Tampa, Fla. -- Woolbright Development said that Stuart Segall has been named a leasing agent for the company, and is responsible for leasing shopping centers in Tampa, Brandon and Tallahassee.

Segall was previously with Florida Retail Partners in Tampa.

Washington, D.C. -- A report released Thursday by the U.S. Labor Department showed that jobless claims in the United States rose by 26,000 for the week ended March 5, to 397,000.

Economists expected claims would climb to 376,000, according to a Bloomberg News survey. The total number of people receiving benefits in the prior week fell to the lowest since October 2008.

Washington, D.C. -- A Wednesday report by Bloomberg said that Wal-Mart Watch, a union-funded group that advocates for Wal-Mart Stores workers, said Justice Antonin Scalia should disqualify himself when the U.S. Supreme Court considers the company’s bid to derail a gender-bias suit on behalf of potentially one million employees.

PITTSBURGH – Shortly after reporting a 16% increase in continuing operations for its fourth quarter ended Jan. 29, American Eagle Outfitters, announced that its CEO, James O’Donnell, has informed the board of directors of his intention to retire, and the company has initiated a succession process to be jointly led by O’Donnell and the board. American Eagle said O’Donnell will continue with the company as CEO until a successor is named and through an orderly transition period.

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. -- Kohl’s Department Stores announced the grand opening of nine new stores across seven states, which the company said will create more than 1,200 jobs.

The new stores were opened Illinois, New York, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin. In addition, Kohl's plans to open a total of approximately 40 new stores in 2011. The company said it also plans to remodel approximately 100 stores in 2011, an 18% increase from 2010.

PARIS — The president of Procter & Gamble's global hair care business is taking on a new role at Sephora.

Effective March 31, Christopher de Lapuente will end his 28-year career at P&G to become the global president and CEO for beauty retailer Sephora, which is owned by luxury group LVMH. All regions worldwide will report to him. For European operations, de Lapuente succeeds Jacques Levy.

In addition to his responsibilities as global president and CEO for Sephora, de Lapuente also will be a member of LVMH's executive committee.

BOCA RATON, Fla. -- The South Florida Business Journal  reported Tuesday that Office Depot has dismissed David Grove, SVP contract sales for the company. 

According to the report, Grove's termination was unrelated to company operations, citing an Office Depot statement. Grove joined the company just 14 months ago.

Before joining Office Depot, Grove served in various roles in the office products field including president business interiors at Corporate Express and director of business development at United Stationers.