Labor & Employment

Deerfield, Ill. -- Walgreens announced plans to close more than half of the stores it is acquiring in its deal with USA Drug.

The company — which said in July it would purchase the mid-South drug store chain for approximately $438 million — confirmed it would close approximately 76 stores across the region. USA Drug operates 144 stores under the USA Drug, Super D Drug, May's Drug, Med-X and Drug Warehouse banners.

The Home Depot will close its remaining seven big box stores in China, the company announced late yesterday, in order to shift its focus to specialty stores and online offerings in that market.

Well paid teachers who receive generous benefits are on strike in Chicago and reminding Walmart why organized labor is a bigger threat to its business than any competitor.

Arlington, Va. -- The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) said Friday it is applauding the impending implementation of sales tax fairness in California, which stands to even the playing field between bricks-and-mortar retailers and online competitors.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens announced plans to close more than half of the stores it is acquiring in its deal with USA Drug.

The company — which said in July it would purchase the mid-South drug store chain for approximately $438 million — confirmed it would close approximately 76 stores across the region. USA Drug operates 144 stores under the USA Drug, Super D Drug, May's Drug, Med-X and Drug Warehouse banners.

New York -- Best Buy is moving about 2,000 loss-prevention employees in its U.S. locations to focus on selling, Bloomberg reported.  

Employees who greeted shoppers entering Best Buy  stores and checked receipts when they left will join the ranks of the company’s sales force, according to the report.

NIWOT, Colo. — Casual footwear brand, Crocs, has announced that Dale Bathum has been appointed chief product officer, Mike DeBell has been named chief sales officer and Doug Hayes has taken the role of president of the Americas market. As chief product officer, Bathum will be responsible for overseeing ideation, design, development and introduction of Crocs products to the international marketplace, while DeBell will lead all Crocs global sales offices and direct-to-consumer sales in the role of chief sales officer.

Atlanta -- The Home Depot Inc. said Friday it will close its remaining seven big-box outlets in China and focus on Internet-based sales and specialty stores.