Human Resources

If you’re someone who puts off your holiday shopping until the last minute to save a few bucks by scouring for the best “deals” and taking advantage of those absolute bargain basement prices, I’m afraid you may be in for a rude awakening this holiday shopping season. If my sense of the retail landscape is correct, I think it’s possible we’ll see prices increase as Christmas gets closer.

Chicago -- Up to 60% more shoppers will enter stores on Dec. 26 than on the same day last year, according to ShopperTrak, the world's largest provider of retail and mall foot traffic counting services. The reason for the increase is due to the calendar: Shoppers will come out in full force on the day after Christmas because it falls on a Monday for the first time in six years. That day will rank third in foot traffic for the holiday shopping season, surpassed only by Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, and Super Saturday, the Saturday one week before Christmas.

LOS ANGELES — American Apparel announced that Tom Casey has resigned as acting president of the company. Casey was appointed in October 2010 to work with Dov Charney and key investors to validate the company’s strategy, improve operating disciplines and optimize the capital structure, the company reported.

New York City -- American Eagle Outfitters will pay a signing bonus of $3.3 million along with a base salary of $1 million to its new incoming CEO Robert L. Hanson, the Pittsburgh Business Times reported.

Hanson takes over for the chain’s longtime chief executive James V. O’Donnell, who is set to retire Jan. 28.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Mattel has announced that Robert A. Eckert, 57, will retire as CEO, after 11 years with the company, effective Dec. 31. The board of directors has named Bryan G. Stockton, 58, who has held the position of chief operating officer for the last year, to succeed Eckert as CEO, effective Jan. 1, 2012. Eckert has agreed to continue in his role as chairman of the board, and the board has elected Stockton as a member of the board, effective January 1, 2012.

Covington, La. -- Stirling Properties announced it has promoted Chris Abadie to VP and manager of the Commercial Brokerage Division after 11 years as a sales and leasing executive with the company.

In his new role, Abadie will oversee all aspects of commercial operations throughout each of Stirling Properties brokerage offices located in Louisiana and Mississippi. 
 

New York City -- With the start of the 2011 holiday shopping season approaching, retailers need to ensure they have plans in place to address the increased risk of a flash mob event, according to Marsh, a leading insurance broker and risk advisor.

El Segundo, Calif. -- Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market announced it is hiring for more than 20 stores that are set to open early next year.

The company expects to hire more than 600 employees for the new stores, which will be opening in California and Nevada.