Corporate Governance

Minneapolis -- Best Buy today announced that retired director, EVP, chief operating and CFO of Williams-Sonoma, Inc., Sharon McCollam, will join the company as its new chief administrative and CFO, effective Dec. 10, according to a Reuters report. McCollam, 50, left Williams-Sonoma earlier this year after serving as an executive officer for more than 12 years.

McCollam succeeds CFO James Muehlbauer, whose departure was announced last month. Muehlbauer will leave the company at the end of this fiscal year, allowing for a smooth transition.

Naperville, Ill. -- OfficeMax today announced it is extending support to the thousands of people still without electricity by providing free in-store charging stations, fax, scan and email services to help those affected by Hurricane Sandy stay connected and get back to business. The retailer also partnered with nonprofit AdoptAClassroom.org to launch the Hurricane Relief for Teachers (HuRT) program to help restore damaged classrooms along the east coast.

New York – Gap is feeling the love this holiday season.

Dallas -- Zale Corp. today announced the addition of consumer finance company, Genesis Financial Solutions, Inc., to its U.S. alternative financing program.

The partnership with Genesis is consistent with the company’s strategy to enhance access to financing for its customers. This new financing option, which became available in October, is offered in Zales, Zales Outlet and Gordon’s retail stores.

Brooklyn, N.Y. -- Home furnishings retailer West Elm today announced that it will open a new store in Indianapolis on Nov. 15. Located in The Fashion Mall at Keystone, the new store will be the first West Elm in Indiana.

Through a partnership with Etsy, the store will feature a locally made collection of decorative accessories from artists in the Indianapolis area.

New York -- Walmart’s U.S. employees will pay between 8% and 36% more in premiums for its medical coverage in 2013, Reuters reported.  

For its most popular plan, which covers individuals, the payment per bi-weekly paycheck is going up by $2, or 13%, the report said. Some other plans would have higher increases.

Minneapolis -- Best Buy has hired Sharon McCollam, formerly CFO of Williams- Sonoma Inc., as CFO, beginning Dec. 10.

McCollam, 50, had been COO and CFO at the home goods retailer before retiring. She also takes the title of chief administrative officer at Best Buy.

McCollam replaces James Muehlbauer, who said he was leaving in October. Muehlbauer will continue to advise the company until the end of the fiscal year in February.

Dallas -- J.C. Penney announced it will celebrate Black Friday with its only sale of the year. The retailer said more than 1,100 J.C. Penney stores will open their doors at 6 a.m. on Black Friday to offer low prices on gifts for the entire family — with no coupons or rebates required. Associates throughout the store will be equipped with mobile checkout devices.

Los Angeles -- Jones Lang LaSalle has been selected by Time Warner Cable to handle project management for the development of the firm's six new retail stores in Southern California. The new stores are expected to open over the next six months.

Brooklyn, N.Y. -- West Elm, a division of Williams-Sonoma, announced that it will open store in Indianapolis on Nov.15.

Located in The Fashion Mall at Keystone, it will be the first West Elm in Indiana. Through a partnership with Etsy, the store will feature a locally made collection of decorative accessories from artists in the Indianapolis area.