Human Resources

Walmart detailed a wide range of considerable accomplishments in its eighth annual Global Responsibility Report released this week, but what the world really want to know is what’s up with those toilets at Pico Rivera, Calif., supercenter.

In case you missed it, Walmart abruptly closed the store and four others due to what the company characterized as emergency plumbing issues. Plans called for the stores to close for six months while repairs were made and employees were given two months severance pay and told them would need to reapply for jobs when the stores reopened.

King of Prussia, Pa. - Retailers anticipate accelerated growth for 2015. According to a study from eBay Enterprise, an eBay Inc. company, 72% of more than 1,000 online retailers surveyed anticipate online revenue to increase by 17% in 2015.

Confidence in commerce infrastructure is also high, with 95% of respondents stating they are very or somewhat confident their e-commerce experience meets consumers’ needs and expectations.

Framingham, Mass. – Bernard Cammarata, 75, founder and chairman of The TJX Companies Inc., will retire June 11, 2015 after nearly 40 years with the company. Carol Meyrowitz, 61, who has served as CEO of TJX since January 2007, been a board director since 2006 and joined the company in 1983, will succeed him as chairman.

Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores Inc., which had disappointing financial results in its last quarter, said CEO W. Bruce Johnson will leave the company Aug. 1.

The company also announced that the board of directors has commenced a search for a new CEO and has retained Heidrick & Struggles, a leading global executive search firm, to assist the Board in identifying and evaluating external and internal candidates.

Menomonee Falls, Wis. -- Thousands of associates from Kohl’s Department Stores are celebrating Earth Day by volunteering in their local communities during the company’s sixth annual National Go Green event today through the end of June.

Greensboro, N.C. -- Tanger Factory Outlet Centers and Foxwoods Resort Casino announced that Tanger Outlets at Foxwoods will celebrate the new center's grand opening on Thursday, May 21 kicking off at 10 a.m. with an official ribbon cutting hosted by Drew and Jonathan from the hit show, Property Brothers. The festivities will include a design workshop with the Property Brothers, an Instagram Tech Lounge, as well as special savings and giveaways.

St. Petersburg, Fla. -- HSN, Inc. has appointed John Aylward as executive VP and chief marketing officer for HSN, an operating division of the $3.6 billion interactive multichannel retailer.

Camp Hill, Pa. - Steve Rempel, who spent 35 years in a variety of executive positions at Safeway, has been named Rite Aid’s senior VP and CIO. In this position, Rempel will have responsibility for all aspects of the company’s technology and information operations, including computer systems, network infrastructure, telecommunications and data security.