Human Resources

PayPal announced it is cancelling plans to open a new operations center in North Carolina after the state passed a law that many see as restricting protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. The news comes as leaders of the High Point Market, the largest furnishings industry trade show in the world, warned that “hundreds and perhaps thousands” of customers will not attend the Market, held in High Point, North Carolina in April, due to their opposition to the new law. The Market attracts retailers, designers, suppliers and manufacturers.

Fred's Inc. has appointed Rick Hans as executive VP and CFO. He fills the position left open when Jerry A. Shore, Fred's former finance head, was promoted to CEO in October 2014.

Prior to joining Fred's, Hans enjoyed a 27-year career with Walgreens, where he most recently served as VP of investor relations and finance. Hans previously held the position of director of finance and assistant treasurer, where he promoted a sound capital structure that subsequently provided the basis for major strategic acquisitions.

From salty snacks and soft drinks to motor oil and car parts, Advance Auto Parts has tapped a lifelong PepsiCo executive to serve as its next CEO.

Longtime Walmart executive Tom Coughlin, an inspirational leader who played a key role in Walmart’s growth and left the company in 2005, passed away on April 1.

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to take up an appeal from Wal-Mart Stores to throw out a class action judgment over its treatment of workers in Pennsylvania, Reuters reported.

In the case, hourly employees of Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club had brought a class action lawsuit, claiming they were not compensated for rest breaks and off-the-clock work as mandated in their policies. The case impacted some 187,000 Wal-Mart employees who worked in Pennsylvania between 1998 and 2006.

Amid ongoing pressure from investors to maximize the value of its real estate holdings, Macy’s has appointed Douglas W. Sesler as executive VP for real estate, effective April 5.

In a move that will directly impact retail and fast-food chains, California legislatures approved a plan to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2022, which will give the state the highest minimum wage in the nation. The measure will be signed into law on Monday by California Gov. Jerry Brown.

March was a solid month for U.S. job makers, with retailers leading the way.

The retail industry — excluding autos, gasoline and food services — added a solid 40,000 jobs in March, the National Retail Federation reported on Friday. The job market overall saw growth of 215,000 jobs in the month of March.

Retail has added an average of 52,000 jobs per month over the last three months.