Labor & Employment

Ann Arbor, Mich. -- Borders Group Inc. said Sunday that payment of some bills due at the end of January is being delayed to help the book seller "maintain liquidity" while trying to complete a restructuring of its debt.

Last week, the company received a commitment for $550 million in financing from General Electric Capital, subject to conditions that include securing $175 million from other lenders and continuing to close stores.

New York City - A report released Monday by The Conference Board said that labor demand rose sharply in January after being relatively flat during the last half of 2010. 

According to The Conference Board Help Wanted OnLine Data Series, online advertised vacancies rose 438,000 in January to 4,273,000.  With the January increase, labor demand has risen 1.44 million since the series low point in April 2009. This increase now offsets approximately 80% of the 1.76 million drop in ad volume during the two-year downturn period from April 2007 through April 2009. 

ITASCA, Ill. -- Jewel-Osco, a Supervalu-owned company, announced that Keith Nielsen, Jewel-Osco president, has informed the company of his retirement effective at the end of the fiscal year (Feb. 28).

Nielsen’s successor will be Brian Huff, SVP specialty retail for Supervalu. Huff will transition into the position beginning Feb. 7. All operations and business strategies will continue as normal.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. -- Sears Holdings announced that retail veteran Chris Capuano will join the company as SVP and president home fashions. She will be responsible for the oversight, leadership and growth of the in-store and online merchandising of home fashions in both the Sears and Kmart formats.

MOORESVILLE, N.C. -- Lowe’s announced that Larry Stone, president and chief operating officer since 2006, will retire on June 2 -- his 42nd anniversary with Lowe’s. Stone has served in virtually every leadership position within store operations, merchandising and store environment during his career.

Mooresville, N.C. -- Lowe’s Cos. president and chief operating officer, Larry Stone, will retire June 2, after 42 years with the company. Lowe’s doesn’t plan to fill the vacancy.

Stone has served in virtually every leadership position within store operations, merchandising and store environment during his career.

Lowe’s also announced the following promotions within merchandising, store operations and strategic planning:

Bentonville, Ark. -- Less than three months after joining Walmart’s merchandising organization as an executive VP, Duncan Mac Naughton on Friday was elevated to the role of chief merchandising officer for the U.S. stores division.

Ann Arbor, Mich. -- Borders Group said it has received a commitment from GE Capital, Restructuring Finance to provide a $550 million senior secured credit facility. Upon completion, the facility, including the obtaining of $125 million of additional junior debt financing via the conversion of vendor payables and/or external sources, will provide Borders with the financial flexibility and an appropriate level of liquidity to move forward with its strategy to reposition its business model and the Borders brand.

Canton, Mass. -- Dunkin' Donuts has signed agreements with four franchisees to develop 16 restaurants in Tampa, Orlando and Tallahassee over the next several years.

Dunkin' Donuts development throughout Florida is part of a steady and strategic growth strategy, which includes expanding in existing markets while entering new cities across the country.

Houston -- Men's Wearhouse said its president and COO, Douglas Ewert, will replace company founder George Zimmer as CEO in mid-2011.

Zimmer, 62, who founded Men's Wearhouse in 1973, will remain executive chairman of the board. The company said he would help Ewert with "strategic direction" for Men's Wearhouse and keep a hand in marketing decisions.