Human Resources

PLANO, Texas - JCPenney announced that, for the third consecutive year, it was ranked number one among department store retailers in the Customers' Choice survey released by the NRF Foundation and American Express.

Foothill Ranch, Calif. -- Specialty apparel retailer Wet Seal announced that it has entered into an employment contract with Susan McGalla to serve as its new CEO through Aug. 8, 2014. McGalla will assume her position as CEO on Jan. 18. Ed Thomas will remain as interim CEO until Jan. 18, and thereafter will remain employed by the company until Feb. 8, to assist with transition.

Dallas -- Zale Corp.’s same-store sales rose 8.5% during the November-December selling period. This figure is a key indicator of a retailer's health because it gauges results at existing stores instead of newly opened ones.

Zale is refocusing its merchandise on diamonds and stepping up training of its workers, said CEO Theo Killion in a Bloomberg report. The company increased the number of salespeople certified by the Diamond Council of America to 2,000, from 800 last year, and plans to add more, he said.

NEW YORK -Tiffany & Co. announced that James Quinn will retire in early 2012. Quinn joined Tiffany in 1986 and has served as president since 2003, responsible for the company’s sales outside the Americas.

Chelmsford, Mass. -- Kronos said Monday that fashion accessory retailer Charming Charlie has selected Kronos’ end-to-end workforce management solution to sustain growth, increase productivity and improve employee retention.

Charming Charlie selected the time and attendance, forecasting and scheduling, hiring, labor analytics and human resources and payroll applications from Kronos.

Minneapolis -- Two leaders of Target have been appointed to the retailer's executive committee.

Tina Schiel, senior VP enterprise strategy and new business development, was promoted to executive VP stores and will join the executive committee, while Laysha Ward, who will retain her position as Target's community relations president and Target Foundation president, also will join the executive committee.

ATLANTA — Newell Rubbermaid, whose portfolio includes the hair accessories brand Goody, has announced that its president and CEO, Mark Ketchum, will retire later this year.

An executive recruiting firm has been retained to conduct an outside search for Ketchum's replacement and also assist with the assessment of internal candidates, the company stated. To help ensure a smooth and transition, Ketchum plans to remain on the company¹s board through the spring of 2012.

Dallas -- J. C. Penney Co. has named Michael Dastugue as executive VP and CFO. He served most recently as senior VP finance, and was responsible for directing the financial strategies of all J.C. Penney business units.

Dastugue succeeds Robert Cavanaugh, who will serve as an adviser to chairman and CEO Myron Ullman until his retirement in January 2012.