Human Resources

Dollar General on Thursday reported better-than-expected fourth quarter sales and earnings and said it planned to raise compensation and increase training for store managers.   The discounter also said it plans to open approximately 1,000 stores and remodel or relocate 900 existing stores in fiscal 2017.   

Williams Sonoma Inc. on Wednesday reported adjusted fourth-quarter earnings above expectations and said its board of directors authorized a dividend increase.   In a separate announcement, the company said Sandra Stangl, president of its Pottery Barn brands, will resign from the company March 31. http://www.chainstoreage.com/article/leadership-changes-home-furnishings-retailer  

The chief marketing officer of J.C. Penney is leaving the company after two years on the job.   Mary Beth West is leaving the department store retailer on March 31 to become senior VP and chief growth officer of the Hershey Co. She will join Hershey on May 1.   West joined Penney in April 2015 after serving on the company’s board of directors for 10 years.   

New leaders are set to take the reins at Pottery Barn and its sister brands.   The company announced that Sandra Stangl, president of Pottery Barn Brands, which includes Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids and PBTeen, is resigning from the company on March 31, 2017, after 23 years of service.  

The nation’s largest consumer co-op reported a solid year amid ongoing sustainability achievements.     REI reported annual revenues of $2.56 billion in 2016, up 5.5% from $2.42 billion in 2015.    Same-store sales, which include direct to consumer sales, rose nearly 4% and digital sales grew by nearly 18%.  

Could “paper or plastic?” become a question of the past? In early December, Amazon opened its checkout-free store concept, Amazon Go, in Seattle. Initially open only to employees, the store is expected to open to the public early this year. With the e-commerce giant’s “just walk out” technology, customers are able to swipe their app when they enter, pick up items they want off the shelves, and exit without cash registers or lines.  

The bonuses, along with annual pay raises, were included in employees’ March 9 paycheck.   Over the past two years, Walmart has invested billions of dollars in training, education and higher wages. These programs offer associates skills, knowledge and tools to help them grow with the company and provide great customer service during a time of rapid change in shopping habits.  

It’s a homecoming of sorts for Mark Breitbard.     Gap Inc. on Tuesday named Breitbard as president and CEO of its struggling Banana Republic division.       Breitbard served as CEO at The Gymboree Corporation from 2013 until he stepped down in early 2017. From 2010 to 2013, he held leadership positions across Gap North America, where he was instrumental in delivering the product-led resurgence of Gap’s North America business.