Human Resources

Fremont, Calif. -- The Men's Wearhouse has completed its acquisition of one-time-rival Jos. A. Bank Clothiers. The combined company has more than 1,700 stores, approximately 26,000 employees and sales of $3.5 billion on a pro forma basis.

The final price tag to combine the two retailers was $1.8 billion, or $65 per share.

San Jose – PayPal is reportedly expanding the customer service center located in its European headquarters based in Dundalk, Ireland. According to the Irish Independent, PayPal will make a “massive investment” in the center in the next four years that will add 400 workers.

The expansion will bring the combined PayPal-EBay workforce in Dundalk to 1,850. New jobs will include customer solutions, risk operations and telesales positions.

Jeffrey Thomas was elevated to the role of SVP of merchandise operations at Family Dollar as the retailer looks to reignite sales under the leadership of chief merchandising officer Jason Reiser.

Thomas previously served as vp of merchant services and fill a position previously held by Scott Zucker who left the company. Thomas will report to Jason Reiser, Family Dollar’s EVP and chief merchandising officer.

Cincinnati -- Kroger Co. on Wednesday said it plans to withdraw from two multi-employer pension funds and will incur a charge of $56 million in the first quarter as it contributes that amount to restructure its pension obligations. The move is in line with the retailer’s desire to exert more control over employee-retirement programs.

Houston -- Francesca's Holdings Corp. announced the appointment of R. David Minnix, Jr., as senior VP and head of boutiques, effective  July 8.  

Francesca’s has tapped David Minnix Jr. as the new VP and head of boutiques. The former chief stores officer at Dots Fashion will start his job overseeing the upscale boutique chain’s operations on July 8.

Minnix has also formerly worked for retailers like Zales and Pearle Vision, and at Dots Fashion oversaw store support and loss prevention departments, among other duties. At Francesca’s Minnix will oversee the company’s 519 boutiques, each of which is meant to feel like an independent shop.

Dublin, Calif. – The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has charged four residents of Northern California with insider trading in Ross Stores stock options based on nonpublic information about monthly sales results leaked by one of the retailer’s employees. The SEC alleges that Saleem Khan was routinely tipped by his friend Roshanlal Chaganlal, who was a director in the finance department at Ross headquarters.