Human Resources

Kroger has promoted Timothy Massa to group VP, human resources and labor relations.

Massa currently serves as VP of corporate human resources, talent development. In this expanded role, he will take responsibility for labor relations when Paul Heldman, EVP, secretary and general counsel, retires in May.

Columbus, Ohio -- DSW Inc. has appointed Mary Meixelsperger as CFO effective May 1. Meixelsperger replaces Douglas Probst, who is retiring from DSW on the same day.

William Blair & Company analyst Mark Miller has followed Walmart for a long time, but he didn’t have much good to say about the company when he issued a downgrade this week.

Miller lowered his rating on Walmart to underperform from market perform and cited some familiar and unfamiliar concerns. For example, one of his main concerns related to Walmart’s size and complexity which he contends reduces dynamism and growth.

Rosemary Ricketts and Steve Bohman, retail executives with extensive mass market experience, have joined upscale brand Vera Bradley in key roles.

Ricketts was named vp of merchandising and Bohman was named vp of global production at the leading designer of women's handbags and accessories, luggage and travel items, eyewear, stationery and gifts.

New York -- Leonard Riggio, chairman of Barnes & Noble Inc., has sold 3.7 million shares of Barnes & Noble common stock. After the sale, his holdings are expected to represent approximately 20% of Barnes & Noble’s common stock outstanding.

Riggio said the sale is part of his long-term financial and estate planning and that he has no plans to sell more stock this calendar year.

Washington, D.C. -- Lowe's Home Centers has agreed to pay a $500,000 civil penalty for violating federal rules governing lead paint exposure, the Environmental Protection Agency said on Thursday.  

The chain will also implement a comprehensive, corporate-wide compliance program at its over 1,700 stores nationwide to ensure that the contractors it hires to perform work minimize lead dust from home renovation activities, as required by the federal Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Rule.

DSW has appointed former Shopko executive Mary Meixelsperger as CFO, effective May 1. Meixelsperger replaces Douglas Probst, who is retiring from DSW on the same day.

"We are pleased that Mary is joining the DSW team," said president and CEO Michael MacDonald. "Mary is a seasoned executive with a breadth of experiences in merger integration, strategic systems planning and implementation, financial analysis and tax planning. With her leadership, we will position DSW for continued growth and progress towards our strategic goals."

Philadelphia -- Urban Outfitters Inc. has appointed Trish Donnelly to the role of president of Urban Outfitters brand, North America, effective July 14. She will report directly to Ted Marlow, CEO, Urban Outfitters Group.