Human Resources

New York -- For the second year in a row, Nordstrom topped the list of retail companies that keep their employees happiest, followed by Macy’s and OfficeMax, according to an annual survey by CareerBliss. The ranking takes into account employee reviews of their employer based on work-life balance, senior management compensation, benefits and job security.

Mooresville, N.C. -- Lowe’s Companies announced that that Marise Kumar has joined the company as senior VP strategy and modeling. She joins Lowe’s with more than 25 years of experience in brand management, general management and executive leadership, serving most recently as chief customer experience officer and chief marketing officer for Best Buy.

Los Angeles -- Urban Partners and Harbor Urban announced that David Walker has joined the company as VP capital markets.

Walker will be responsible for actively procuring debt and equity capital for both entities. The firm is currently focused on urban infill assets in West Coast markets and, together with AREA Property Partners, recently acquired Seattle-based Harbor Properties and merged it with Urban Partner’s local office to form Harbor Urban.

Nashville, Tenn. -- Kirkland's Inc. lost $416,000 for the period ended Oct. 27, compared with a profit of $1.2 million a year earlier. Analysts had predicted a bigger loss.

Revenue inched down to $96.7 million from $97.1 million. Same-store sales were down 4.7%.

Kirkland's also announced that president and CEO Robert Alderson is taking a temporary medical leave of absence, starting on Monday. SVP and CFO Mike Madden will serve as acting president and CEO until Alderson returns.

Minneapolis -- Best Buy Co. woes continue, as the electronics retailer reported Tuesday a loss of $10 million for the quarter ended Nov. 3, compared with net income of $156 million in the year-ago period. Results were hurt by restructuring charges and slowed sales.

Sales slid 4% to $10.75 billion, but met Wall Street expectations. Same-store sales dropped 4.3%.

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Lowe’s has named former Best Buy executive Marise Kumar SVP of strategy and modeling. In her new capacity, Kumar will report to Robert J. Gfeller, customer experience design executive.

Kumar will identify opportunities that positively impact the customer experience. She will work closely with leaders in customer experience and across the organization to ensure opportunities are practical, financially valid and create a compelling experience for customers across all channels.

Memphis, Tenn. -- Fred's on Tuesday said third-quarter net income dropped 27% amid rising costs and declining same-store sales, as sales in its established stores dropped and its costs rose.

The company reported Tuesday that it earned $6.6 million in the three months through Oct. 27, compared with $9 million a year earlier.

Revenue rose 1% to $450.6 million. Same-store sales were down 2.5%.

General expenses rose 4% to $118.1 million, fueled in party by higher labor costs and new store opening costs.  

New York -- Federal labor officials said Monday they will decide quickly whether to support a request by Wal-Mart Stores Inc. to stop a union-backed group from pushing worker walk-outs at hundreds of stores on Black Friday, the Associated Press reported.

The chain on Thursday filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board to stop OUR Walmart, a group made up of current and former Wal-Mart workers, from holding protests at hundreds of stores.