Human Resources

A former executive at Toys "R" Us has joined the executive team of Bridgestone Americas.   Bridgestone named Joe Venezia as president of Bridgestone Retail Operations, effective June 19, 2017. He most recently served as executive VP of global store operations at Toys "R" Us. Venezia joined the toy retailer in 2014 as senior VP, store operations. Prior to Toys "R" Us, Venezia was senior VP of operations and head of stores for convenience-store chain The Pantry.  

Wages

Southeastern Grocers' chief executive is leaving after 16-months on the job to pursue "another opportunity."  

J. Crew is entering into a deal that it expects will put it one step closer to improving its business.   The fashion retailer has won the support of more than 50% of its term loan holders to trim its $2 billion debt load and end intellectual property litigation. This was according to sources familiar with the situation, according to Reuters.  

In a sobering statistic, one out of every 27 employees was apprehended for theft from their employer in 2016.   That's according to “The 29th Annual Retail Theft Survey,” conducted by Jack L. Hayes International, a loss prevention and inventory shrinkage control consulting firm. The survey is based on reports on over 380,000 shoplifting apprehensions that took place in 23 large retail companies, representing 16,038 stores with combined 2016 annual sales in excess of $370 billion.   

A recent job listing by Amazon has raised speculation that the online giant plans to roll out its checkout-free convenience store concept, Amazon Go.    The online giant recently posted a job listing seeking a senior real estate manager for Amazon Go. The role will be based in Seattle and will include travel.   

The actions this week by two state attorneys general over the constitutionality of President Trump’s overseas business dealings have very little to do with the P&Ss of retail and restaurant owners. But here’s why it matters to your business and employees:  In the grand scheme of things, their legal maneuvering it is a stinging reminder of the role attorneys general play and how, in other circumstances critical to our business models and industry, they can have a seriously negative impact.

Amazon’s innovative re-training program has hit an all-time high.