Workforce Management

San Francisco – Gap Inc. will raise the minimum hourly wage for all U.S. employees to $9 in 2014, and then raise it again, to $10, in 2015. The move will affect about 65,000 store employees across the company’s brands, which include Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Piperlime, Athleta, and Intermix. Gap's announcement comes amid a nationwide debate about the minimum wage.

A week after rival Home Depot announced plans to 80,000 seasonal spring employees, Lowe’s announced its plans to hire approximately 25,000 seasonal employees at its U.S. stores for the busy spring season.

Seasonal jobs available are focused on customer support and include cashiers, lawn and garden employees, loaders and stockers.

Mooresville, N.C. -- Lowe's plans to hire approximately 25,000 seasonal employees at its stores in the U.S. during spring, its busiest season. Seasonal jobs available are focused on customer support and include cashiers, lawn and garden employees, loaders, and stockers.

The Container Store is marking Valentine’s Day with the launch of its Employee First Fund — an employee assistance fund that will provide grants to employees experiencing unforeseen emergencies, a major medical situation, a catastrophic event or other challenges in life that they are not financially prepared to handle.

The Buckle has promoted Kari G. Smith to the newly created position of EVP of stores. In her new role, Smith will continue to provide leadership related to all aspects of the in-store shopping experience, including the education and development of the company’s sales team.

Kearney, Neb. — The Buckle, Inc. has named Kari G. Smith to the newly created position of executive VP of stores effective immediately. In her new role, Smith will continue to provide leadership related to all aspects of the in-store shopping experience for Buckle’s customers; including the education and development of Buckle’s sales team.

Atlanta - The Home Depot has begun filling more than 80,000 seasonal positions as it prepares for spring, the company's busiest selling season. Job opportunities are available on a market-by-market basis, based on individual store needs and geographical variance in climate.

Home Depot says college students, retirees, veterans and reservists are encouraged to apply. All applicants must apply online. The retailer also hired 80,000 seasonal employees in spring 2012.

Amazon plans to fill more than 2,500 new full-time jobs across its growing U.S. fulfillment network. Median pay inside Amazon fulfillment centers is 30% higher than traditional retail jobs, the company said, although it stopped short of disclosing the actual median pay rate for the positions it intends to fill.