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The labor market for workers appears to be improving.   Walmart confirmed to media outlets it will speed up the time it takes for new employees to complete a training program and subsequently increase their pay.   The retail two years ago implemented a $9 per-hour minimum wage and last year unveiled a six-month training program called Pathways. Once this program was completed, pay was increased to $10 per hour.  

Kimco’s $18 million renovation of Wilde Lake in Columbia, Maryland, has been completed and the mixed-use development is welcoming three new retail tenants.   Starbucks will open both a café and a drive-thru this year and Salons by JC plans a fall opening. Dynamic Dental Care opened in December. Wilde Lake has 230 residential units, 30,000 sq. ft. of office space, and 41,000 sq. ft. of retail.  

Lowe’s Cos. is shifting to a new staffing model for its stores that will result in the loss of some jobs nationwide.   The new model will be rolled out across Lowe’s stores and is designed to free up resources to boost customer service, CNBC reported.     

Wal-Mart Stores is reportedly planning a major round of job layoffs by the end of this month.   The retailer will eliminate positions at its headquarters and among regional personnel that support stores, the Wall Street Journal reported.  

A Delaware developer’s plan to create a green space and shopping center in Lewes, Delaware, an idyllic shore town that was the site of the first European settlement in the state, has encountered a new obstacle.   After overcoming opposition by some residents to the commercial re-zoning of 11 acres in this town north of Rehobeth Beach, J.G. Townsend Jr. & Co. now must content with protestors who say that its proposed Gills Neck Village Center would desecrate a Native American burial ground.  

Still on the hunt for a new chief executive, Pier 1 Imports has tapped its chairman to serve in the role on an interim basis.     The home furnishings and décor retailer has appointed Terry E. London, chairman of the board, to the position of interim president and CEO. His appointment takes effect on January 1, 2017, in conjunction with the planned departure of Alex W. Smith, the current president and CEO of Pier I, on December 31, 2016.  

An unknown donor brought holiday cheer to some Walmart customers in Pennsylvania.     A mystery person under the name "Santa B" paid off $46,265.59 in layaway items at Walmart’s store in Everett, Pennsylvania, CNBC reported. The amount covered the balances on 149 layaway accounts.    

CNBC nabbed the first interview with Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz and COO Kevin Johnson since Schultz announced he would step down in April, and be succeeded by Johnson.