News Briefs

Target Corp. has added another new face to its C-suite.

Grant McGee has been named as executive VP and chief legal and compliance officer of the discounter, effective May 31. In the role, he will lead Target’s legal, compliance & risk teams, as well as its government affairs function.

McGee arrives at Target with 20 years of legal expertise and experience in large, consumer-facing global companies. Most recently, he served as the general counsel for consumer goods and personal care giant Kimberly-Clark, leading all legal, public policy, government affairs, compliance, security and flight operations for the company. 

The leadership appointment is the second of the month for Target. Jeff England was previously named as executive VP, chief global supply chain and logistics officer.

“Legal, compliance and government affairs are essential in today’s dynamic operating environment,” said McGee in an interview on Target’s website. “Whether we’re enabling AI and emerging technologies, adapting to evolving global regulations, or partnering with our team, guests and partners to build lasting value — our team plays a critical role in helping Target deliver its strategy at speed.”

The C-suite additions come as Target appears to be rebounding from slumping sales. In its most recent quarter, the chain reported that its total comparable sales rose 5.6%, its biggest quarterly increase since early 2022. Customer traffic rose 4.4% compared to the year-ago quarter.

[READ MORE: Target in biggest store remodel program in a decade — here are the details]

Minneapolis-based Target Corp. operates more than 2,000 U.S. stores.

Walmart is introducing a refreshed hardware department and its first new home brand in five years.

For spring 2026, the discount giant is debuting Greenworks Pro, a professional-grade line of power tools available only at Walmart; as well as an expanded assortment of exclusive Greenworks 24V Powerball power tools and its private label Hyper Tough tool brand, including 12V and 20V brushless power tools and batteries, hand tools and mechanic tools.

In home, Walmart is introducing “Mainstays Kids,” its first new home brand launch in five years, featuring more than 600 items across furniture, bedding, bath and décor. The assortment spans 12 categories and six coordinated collections designed to help create playful, functional and personalized spaces for kids of all ages. 

"At Walmart, we’re always looking for ways to bring innovative products, modern design and strong value to our customers," said Courtney Carlson, senior VP of merchandising at Walmart. "From professional-grade tools to stylish, affordable home décor for families, these launches reflect how we’re continuing to evolve our assortment to better serve the needs of today’s customers."

Customers can now shop these new products at Walmart stores nationwide and the Walmart e-commerce site. The new Greenworks Pro line is also available for Walmart Business customers.

Walmart also recently launched a comprehensive two-year phased redesign of its flagship private label brand, which is also the largest food and consumables consumer packaged goods brand in the United States. Launched in 1993, Great Value includes about 10,000 items.

[READ MORE: Walmart updating look of its biggest private label brand]

Based in Bentonville, Ark., Walmart Inc. operates more than 10,900 stores and numerous e-commerce websites in 19 countries. 

Chinese brand Rolife will break new ground when it opens a location at Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn., later this year.

In what's described as a "first-to-market" concept, the store is a new concept that's designed as a “creative destination” rather than a traditional retail shop. It will offer Rolife's signature DIY miniature house kits, 3D wooden puzzles, collectible figures, gift items, blind boxes and more in an interactive environment.

In addition to browsing products from the Rolife, ROKR, and Rowood collections, shoppers will also be able to participate in live demonstrations, hands-on workshops, and special interactive events that “bring the creative process to life."

[READ MORE: How Mall of America is shaping the next era of physical commerce]

Founded in 2017 as a sub-brand of Robotime, Rolife operates seven concept stores across China, six in Thailand, one in The Netherlands, and 13 in the United States. The Mall of America store will be the brand’s first in Minnesota and in the Midwest. Rolife has a location at Mall of America’s sister property, American Dream Mall, in East Rutherford, N.J.

“We are proud to welcome Rolife for their first-to-market flagship concept, bringing an immersive and creative retail experience guests can’t find anywhere else,” said Chivas Alejo, director of leasing special projects at Mall of America. “Rolife introduces a category of interactive retail and creativity that continues to evolve the way guests experience Mall of America.”

At 5.6 million square feet, Mall of America is the largest shopping and entertainment complex in North America.

Signet Jewelers Ltd. is acquiring a luxury brand popular with younger consumers.

The jewelry giant, whose brands include Zales, Kay Jewelers, Jared and others, is acquiring online-only natural diamond jewelry brand The Clear Cut. Signet plans to integrate the company into Blue Nile, which it acquired in 2022.  The news was first reported by WWD, which said that the business generated more than 21 million TikTok views last year with no paid media spend.

The Clear Cut is best known for its personalized service and bespoke, handcrafted diamond engagement rings, as well as everyday fine jewelry pieces, with an average order value is nearly $30,000. Based in New York, the company was founded in 2016 by Olivia Landau and Kyle Simon.  

Landau, who is married to Simon, shared the news on the company’s Instagram account. She said that once the deal closes, she will continue to lead The Clear Cut as president while “also helping drive digital innovation across Signet’s portfolio to shape the future of the modern bridal experience.”

In a report by National Jeweler, Signet CFO Joan Hilson said that, upon closing of the deal, The Clear Cut will have access to Signet’s diamond inventory while the acquisition will give Signet access to The Clear Cut’s technology, including its proprietary AI platform.

Post-close, Landau will serve as president of The Clear Cut and  VP of Blue Nile, while co-founder Simon will remain COO of The Clear Cut and become VP of Blue Nile, the report said.

Signet operates approximately 2,600 stores primarily under the name brands of Kay Jewelers, Zales, Jared, Banter by Piercing Pagoda, Diamonds Direct, Blue Nile, James Allen, Rocksbox, Peoples Jewellers, H. Samuel and Ernest Jones.

Artificial intelligence tools are becoming increasingly used to create resumes — and employers are losing confidence in prospective candidates.

Most (92%) recruitment leaders believe AI-generated resumes are now commonplace, according to a new survey from talent platform Criteria Corp. About two-thirds (64%) of employers say they have hired someone who misrepresented their skills on a resume, while 39% say it has happened multiple times.

Only one-third of employers say they are “very confident” resumes accurately represent a candidate's true skills and experiences today, according to the survey. However,  two-in-three employers use a resume screen (human or AI) as the first step in their screening process.

[READ MORE: Study: Most retail workers considering switching careers or industries]

Criteria Corp says that companies that report resumes as the primary hiring decision driver are 35% more likely to say they've made a bad hire. Only 2% of employers say the resume remains their most trusted signal.

"AI has exposed the resume for what it has always been: a limited, one-dimensional snapshot of a candidate," said Josh Millet, CEO and co-founder of Criteria Corp. "This new research proves that the shift toward science-based, objective talent signals is no longer optional for hiring leaders; it's a survival mandate. Organizations must act now or risk losing top-tier candidates who are being overlooked by outdated systems."

Criteria Corp’s "Employer Confidence in Resumes Falls: Here's What They Are Doing Instead"' survey was conducted in partnership with Lighthouse Research & Advisory. The findings are based on a survey of 998 employers as well as in-depth interviews with dozens of hiring leaders and recruiters.

Lidl U.S. has named its sixth CEO since the discount grocer opened its U.S. headquarters in 2025.

Company veteran Alan Barry will step into the CEO role in July. He will succeed Joel Rampoldt, who left in January, moving into an advisory role with the German-owned company. (Marco Giudici, chief customer officer of Lidl U.S. and former CEO of Lidl Romania, was named interim CEO.)

Barry has served as COO of Lidl U.S. since 2024. Prior to that, he spent 17 years in executive roles with the company in Ireland and Great Britain.

In other moves, Maciej Tylkowski and Jassine Ouali will join Lidl U.S. as COO and chief customer officer, respectively, both moving from similar roles with Lidl in Great Britain and France, reported Chain Store Age sister publication Progressive Grocer.

Lidl, which is part of Schwarz Group, operates more than 12,000 stores, including approximately 200 U.S. locations, and is active in 31 countries.