Human Resources

Coach announced the appointment of Kevin G. Wills as CFO, effective no later than March 2017.   Wills joins the upscale specialty retailer from AlixPartners LLP, a global business advisory firm, where he has served as managing director and CFO since March 2014.    

RILA looks ahead to what retailers can expect in the coming year

With the historic 2016 election behind us, there has been much speculation about what to expect from Washington in the coming year.

With consideration of a Republican-controlled Congress and President-elect Trump’s proposed policies, the Retail Industry Leaders Association has outlined below the key legislative and regulatory issues retailers should be aware of in 2017:

In the days and weeks since Election Day, much has been written about the impact results will have on store and restaurant operators. Other than some unease regarding trade and consumer confidence, entry-level employers generally feel optimistic about what might lie ahead with policy changes to taxes, wages and healthcare.

Most employers feel like they had a big “win” election night and in many cases, they may be right. But I think it’s a little early for employers to lace up their shoes for a collective victory lap around the boardroom.

J.C. Penney continues to lower its debt load.    The retailed has sold its sprawling headquarters campus in Plano, Texas, to Dreien Opportunity Partners, general partner of Silos Opportunity Partners, for a gross sale price of $353 million before closing and transaction costs.  

Job postings by Amazon may have revealed the company’s newest apparel entry: athleisure.   Several online job listings published by Amazon in December suggest that the online giant is developing a line of workout apparel, reported ReCode.     

Tech solutions helping secure safety of customers, employees

Retailers have been making investments in technology for years, mainly as a means of improving the customer experience. However, as more shocking incidents, such as active shootings, take place at retail malls, new technology investments focus on solutions that ward off violence.

McDonald’s leverages smart technology for onboarding training

Onboarding is a costly process for any company, especially one as vast as McDonald’s Corp. But by transitioning a paper-based operation to a digital one driven by smart devices, the fast food giant is slashing training time in half.

Aaron Trahan has been appointed chief merchandising officer at Hhgregg.   Trahan has over 14 years of retail merchandising experience, including 10 years in a merchandising leadership role. The specialty retailer plans to leverage Trahan’s leadership in appliances, electronics and furniture merchandising, especially as the company expands its furniture business in 2017, Hhgregg said