Human Resources

Walmart opened its second supercenter in Chicago this week, and the only thing missing from the press release announcing the new store was a quote from President Obama praising the company as a job creator.

Instead, Walmart had to settle for some kind words from Chicago mayor and former Obama chief of staff Rohm Emanuel.

Dallas -- 7-Eleven has entered into an agreement with Sam's Mart LLC to acquire 55 Sam's Mart stores in North and South Carolina and convert them to 7-Eleven stores this year. Local contractors will be hired for the remodeling program to begin later this year.

The transaction is anticipated to close in February, subject to standard closing conditions and regulatory approvals.  Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Walmart chief merchandising officer Duncan Mac Naughton was given additional responsibility for marketing on Friday, according to an internal company announcement that was obtained by Reuters. Citing the announcement, the news agency said chief marketing officer Stephen Quinn would report to Mac Naughton rather than U.S. stores division president and CEO Bill Simon as was the case previously. To read more click here.

Rona, the largest chain of home improvement retailers and distributors in Canada, has appointed Dave Carr to the position of VP retail, Western Canada, and François Hardy to the position of VP dealer-owner network development.

After beginning as an employee of a TOTEM store lumberyard in 1992, Carr quickly climbed the ranks to become assistant manager, then store manager. After managing several stores in Alberta, Carr became a regional manager, then general manager, and finally VP of TOTEM in 2008, three years after Rona's acquisition of the company.

NEW YORK — Management consultancy Kurt Salmon announced John Karonis will move into the role of deputy chief executive officer and Brooks Kitchel, long-time retail specialist, will replace Karonis as head of the firm's global retail and consumer products group.

Savannah, Ga. -- Citi Trends said Thursday that its president and CEO David Alexander has resigned the company, effective immediately, and will be replaced by prior CEO Ed Anderson, who led the retailer from 2001 to 2009.

Anderson is currently the chairman of the board and will continue to serve in that capacity.

The company also announced that it has hired Jason Mazzola as executive VP and chief merchandising officer. He was previously chief merchandising officer for an internet flash sales company.
 

Framingham, Mass. -- Staples announced the opening of a new e-commerce innovation center in Kendall Square in Cambridge, Mass. The office will house teams responsible for designing and implementing innovative new e-commerce solutions for the business customers who shop Staples websites and stores.

Indianapolis -- The Finish Line said Thursday it has appointed Jay Custard as VP of digital marketing for the company.

Custard’s responsibilities include leading and directing corporate strategies involving digital customer acquisition, retention and superior customer satisfaction, as well as developing new strategies to support future growth.

He was previously VP of e-commerce, global, for Crocs.