Management

Consumer behavior is hugely impacted by complaining psychology. When customers
are dissatisfied with certain products and have the urge to complain, a staggering 95 percent fail to do so. Why? Because they fear the complaining process will require too much time and effort to be worth their while. However, the same people will then spend considerable amounts of time and effort relaying their complaint to friends and acquaintances.

Wet Seal announced that it's hired Ken Seipel as president and COO, effective March 28. Seipel will report to CEO Susan P. McGalla. Seipel was previously president and chief merchandise/marketing officer of Pamida Discount Stores LLC, a regional general merchandise discount retailer.

Best Buy laid off employees working at its DealTree operations last week. Larisa Hall, general manager of online consumer sales for Best Buy secondary markets, confirmed the reduction of about 200 jobs at two locations.

After a series of Super Bowl ads caused a wash of bad press for Groupon, the company has cut ties with the ad agency that it says was responsible for the spots. Groupon’s CEO Andrew Mason placed the blame for the commercials — one of which seemed to many to equate the plight of Tibet with saving money on dinner — pointedly on the shoulders of the advertising firm that created the spot, CP&B.

Hot Topic said that Betsy McLaughlin has resigned immediately as chief executive officer and member of the board, and was replaced by board member Lisa Harper.

The young woman in the Zappos.com video wears little makeup with her hair in a ponytail. She's cute, but she's no supermodel. What she is: A Zappos employee chosen for her pep and "real people" look to wear and talk about shoes for sale on the company's website.

Guess has announced that ex-Sephora chief Jacques Levy has joined the company as founder's advisor. In this role, Levy will collaborate with Guess CEO Paul Marciano to develop key marketing and customer relationship management strategies worldwide. Levy stepped down last week from his position as CEO and president of Sephora Worldwide.

Chico's announced that Celia Rao Visconti has been named senior vice president of marketing. Rao Visconti will report directly to Cinny Murray, brand president of Chico's, and will oversee the brand's marketing strategy and initiatives.

The Children's Place has announced the appointment of Michael Giannelli as senior vice president of design, effective March 28. Giannelli will report to Natalie Levy, executive vice president of merchandising and design. Giannelli spent 18 years with Gap Inc., culminating in his appointment as VP Gap Body.

Following its restructuring program, Family Dollar Stores announced calculated actions to reinforce its operations by chopping more than 100 jobs. The move will permit Family Dollar to sustain its streamlined group, thus facilitating the company in making rapid decisions in a vivacious working and aggressive situation.