Human Resources

My family – and many other consumers – have already started planning for the holidays. With Deloitte projecting a 4% increase in holiday sales over last year's shopping season, it’s critical that you have the workforce in place to address this opportunity.  

Ron Loveless, the first CEO of Sam's Club who grew the retailer for several years before retiring in 1986, has died.   According to the Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette, Loveless died Monday at the age of 73 after "a long battle with cancer," according to a memo from Walmart CEO Doug McMillon and Sam's Club CEO Rosalind Brewer sent to Sam's Club employees.  

Starbucks Corp. announced its most ambitious expansion plans to date for China, and also named its first CEO for the country.   Starbucks said it plans to double its store count in China, growing to 5,000 stores by 2021. Overseeing the expansion will be Belinda Wong, who has promoted from president to CEO of Starbucks China, effective immediately.   

Nan Richardson, a veteran architecture/design/commercial real estate business development, marketing and public relations professional, has joined brand agency and retail design consultancy CBX as engagement director, branded environments.   In her new position, Richardson will work to connect with prospects, build relationships and develop new business opportunities for CBX in the retail, restaurant, hospitality and commercial real estate industries.  She will be based in Newport Beach, Calif.  

That didn’t take very long.   Industry veteran Paula Schneider, former CEO of American Apparel, has been named chief executive of DG Premium Brands, whose brands include 7 For All Mankind, Splendid and Ella Moss.   Schneider took the reins of the embattled American Apparel in December 2014. She steered the chain through bankruptcy and reorganization and launched an ambitious turnaround strategy. Schneider left American Apparel in early October amid rumors that the company was on the block.

Inefficient staffing processes and lack of adequate workforce engagement tools are causing retailers to leave money on the table.   That’s according to new survey by Workjam, which found that only 17% of retail managers feel their stores’ hourly associates are very motivated and engaged. As a result, 47% of the managers say at least 5% of their staff quit in an average three-month period.  

Michael O’Hanlon, a 35-year real estate industry veteran, has been hired as OliverMcMillan’s new chief operating officer. The company’s properties include The Shops at Buckhead in Atlanta and the River Oaks District in Houston.  

It was in 1983 that Steve Lemmon and David Rubenzer brought on Ray Barton as a partner to franchise the cheap haircut concept they started on the University of Minnesota campus. They chose well. Barton’s wife Mary Lou was one of the first franchisees, and Barton himself remains chairman of the board as the company celebrates the opening of its 4,000th franchise in Flat Rock, Michigan.   “The company continues to grow with happy franchisees who open multiple salons,” said Great Clips CEO Rhoda Olsen.