Human Resources

Regional discounter Fred’s strong pharmacy sales weren’t enough to help the company avert a 1.4 percent same store sales decline for the month.

Philadelphia -- Teen value retailer Five Below has named Michael Romanko as its executive VP of merchandising, charged with overseeing merchandising strategy and operations. Romanko, who officially assumes the role on Jan. 19, will report to president Joel Anderson.

Michael Romanko was named Executive Vice President of Merchandising at discount retailer Five Below, reporting to President Joel Anderson.

Washington, D.C. - The National Retail Federation has expressed its strong support for H.R. 30, the Save American Workers Act, a bill that would restore the traditional 40-hour workweek standard for health benefits under the Affordable Care Act. The NRF sent a letter to each and every House office stating that all votes related to the bill would be considered “key votes” and factored into its annual legislative scorecard.

Macy’s announced a series of major operational and merchandising moves to accelerate its omnichannel approach while also releasing solid holiday sales.

Retailers will hear a lot about innovation at the National Retail Federation convention this year, but the most innovative thing many will see is the trade group’s latest effort to elevate the industry’s profile.

Chicago -- True Value Company announced the appointment of Lars Hybel to VP international, effective Jan. 12.

Hybel has a wealth of experience leading multinational and global teams, having worked for more than 15 years at Electrolux. Most recently, he was VP and general manager, global business unit, Electrolux Central Vacuum Systems, leading the transition of three regional operations to a global matrix organization, and successfully coordinating the first mass-channel entry in Canada, driving significant market share gain.

New York -- Supermarket operator Bi-Lo Holdings LLC, parent of the Bi-Lo and Winn-Dixie chains, said that Randall Onstead will step as president and CEO, effective March 1. The company has identified a successor, who will be named at a later date.

Onstead has been with Bi-Lo, and its parent company Lone Star Holdings, since 2008 when he was named chairman of Bi-Lo, which was then a standalone supermarket company. Under his tenure, the company went though and successfully emerged from Chapter 11 protection after which it went on to flourish and expand.