Human Resources

PHOENIX — PetSmart announced that its current president and COO David K. Lenhardt will assume the role of CEO, effective June 14, following the annual meeting of stockholders. Lenhardt will also be appointed to the board of directors at that time. Bob Moran, current chairman and CEO, will be appointed executive chairman.

New York -- Walmart on Tuesday updated its plans for its Canadian division, saying that it plans to complete at least 37 supercenter projects in the country during the company’s next fiscal year (February 1, 2013 to January 31, 2014). The announcement comes a couple of months before Target Corp.’s spring launch of its stores in Canada. 

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Lowe’s is gearing up for increased demand this spring, by hiring approximately 45,000 seasonal employees at its stores in the United States. The company will also add 9,000 permanent part-time employees.

Seasonal jobs available are focused on customer support and include cashiers, lawn and garden specialists, loaders, and stockers. The number of hours worked per week will vary based on the needs of individual stores, but, on average, seasonal employees could work an estimated 20 to 25 hours per week.

CITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif. — Jim McGinty, CFO of teen retailer, Hot Topic, has resigned from the company, effective March 29, the company announced Monday. George Wehlitz, VP, Finance, will serve as the interim CFO.

“We are grateful for Jim’s committed service to the company over the past 12 years and wish him well in the next phase of his career,” said Lisa Harper, chairman and CEO of Hot Topic.

Dallas – Blockbuster will shutter about 300 of its stores in the United States in the coming weeks. The closures will result in the loss of about 3,000 jobs and leave the chain with some 500 U.S. locations, according to a spokesman for Blockbuster parent company Dish Network Corp.

The closures will affect underperforming stores or those nearing the end of their lease. Specific locations have not yet been announced.

DALLAS —Tuesday Morning reported that for the second quarter, the company's net sales increased 4.5% to $285.3 million, from $273.1 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2012.

The company reportd that its net loss for the quarter was $21.5 million, or 51 cents per share.  The company reported net income of $15.9 million or 37 cents per share in the second quarter of fiscal 2012. 

TRACY, Calif.   — Amazon will open a new fulfillment center in Tracy, Calif., creating hundreds of jobs in the process, the company announced.
 

City of Industry, Calif. -- Hot Topic announced that its chief financial officer, Jim McGinty, has resigned, effective March 29. The company said that George Wehlitz, VP finance will serve as interim CFO.

McGinty had worked for Hot Topic Inc. for the past 12 years. His resignation is effective March 29.

Wehlitz became VP finance at Hot Topic in 2008. He previously served as CFO at motorcycle clothing and accessories company Cycle Gear Inc.