Management

Australian clothing store Gasp Jeans has become a total joke thanks to its completely idiotic way of handling a recent customer service complaint. Companies wishing to alienate the public, take note!

Wal-Mart has named David Cheesewright executive vice president, president and chief executive officer of a new regional management team that will oversee retail operations in Canada, the United Kingdom and Sub-Saharan Africa and business development in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Canada.

Family Dollar has named longtime CVS pharmacy executive Mike Bloom as its new president and chief operating officer to replace the departing R. James Kelly, who announced his retirement on Sept. 27 after 15 years with the company.

Wal-Mart announced that Eduardo Castro-Wright, vice chairman and CEO of the company's global e-commerce and global sourcing businesses, will retire on July 1, 2012. Wal-Mart's goal is to name new leadership for these businesses by the end of January, after which Castro-Wright will assist in the transition.

Groupon was hit with a second employee lawsuit alleging that the company failed to pay overtime. It's only the latest in a series of major setbacks for the social coupon site, casting its future into doubt.

Best Buy has cut its 2011 seasonal hiring plans to about half of last year’s staff numbers in a move to curtail costs. This year’s plans call for 15,000 holiday workers, compared with 29,000 hired last year.

Reflecting how outstanding customer service has become a top priority for retailers of all sizes, STELLAService awarded the STELLAService seal to a diverse mix of companies from powerhouses like BlueNile.com, SierraTradingPost.com and Wine.com to specialty shops like Lulus.com and PoolSupplyWorld.com.

Macy’s said it plans to hire approximately 78,000 seasonal associates for its Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s stores, call centers, distribution centers and online fulfillment centers nationwide for the 2011 holiday season. The total is up about 4 percent from the approximately 75,000 seasonal associates the chain hired last year.

Toys"R"Us announced that it will hire over 40,000 workers nationwide as it gears up for the all-important 2011 holiday shopping season. The company started hiring this week for retail positions such as toy demonstrators and sales associates.

Gap announced that its Personal Advancement and Career Enhancement program was recognized by former President Bill Clinton at the Clinton Global Initiative, held in New York City. Bob Fisher accepted the honor on behalf of the company.