Management

Kroger said on Friday that it's offering a voluntary retirement option for many of its non-store employees in an effort to cut costs. Kroger said about 2,000 associates are eligible for the offer, but it doesn’t include store and district associates, senior officers and supermarket division presidents. Employees have until March to decide whether they’re…

Lands’ End, Inc. announced today that fashion and luggage executive Jerome Griffith would be its next chief executive. Griffith was most recently the head of premium luggage maker Tumi Holdings Inc., until it was purchased by rival Samsonsite earlier this year. Griffith, who will join Lands’ End on March 6, was also named to the…

Pier 1 Imports announced Wednesday that it has appointed Terry London, the company's chairman, to be interim president and CEO, effective Jan. 1. London will be taking over for Alex Smith, who will be leaving the home goods retailer on Dec. 31, ending his tenure as CEO. Smith is responsible for a successful turnaround for…

I have some exciting news to share with you! Total Retail is announcing the release of its first annual Salary Benchmark Report, which is comprised of data analyzing key statistics on retail executives’ salaries, benefits and views on career growth potential. Over the years, Total Retail's audience has asked us for comprehensive salary information to…

More change is on the way for Staples. Reuters reports the office supplies retailer will be selling a controlling stake in its European business to private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management LP for €50 million ($53.65 million) to focus on its North American operations. Staples’ European unit consists of retail stores and an online business in…

Bankrupt retailer American Apparel is rushing to get its affairs in order before its bankruptcy auction in January. Most recently, it moved to close nine storefronts. American Apparel said in a court filing Wednesday it intends to shut down the nine poorly performing stores by the end of the month, and before a planned auction…

Ikea’s U.S. division will begin offering longer parental leave to all employees who are new parents starting in the New Year. The furniture retailer announced this week that it will offer 13,000 salaried and hourly employees in the U.S. up to four months of paid parental leave. The policy applies to mothers and fathers who…

One year after he was promoted to president of Meijer Inc., Rick Keyes will add the title of chief executive officer. The announcement was made on Friday, Dec. 2, by Hank Meijer, who has held the title of CEO and will now serve as executive chairman of the board for the family-owned chain of 230 supercenters…

Limited Stores LLC is cutting jobs while facing a possible permanent shutdown. The New Albany, Ohio-based women’s apparel retailer filed a notice with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services saying it could lay off up to all 248 employees at its home office and shutter that facility in the wake of disappointing sales. Layoffs began…

Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz is stepping down from that position effective April 3. However, he’s not leaving the company completely — he will become executive chairman, focusing on innovating the company's premium offerings and on social impact. The company’s current COO, Kevin Johnson, will take over the chief executive reins when Schultz steps down. Schultz told…