Personnel

J.Crew's Jenna Lyons on Fashion, Lena Dunham and Why She's Not Posting on Instagram
May 21, 2014

Jenna Lyons and the J.Crew design team as well as CEO Mickey Drexler are in Hong Kong to celebrate the opening of the brand's first store in the city-state, the first in Asia to have free-standing J.Crew stores. Below, I talk to Jenna about J.Crew and fashion, Lena Dunham and her role on "Girls," and why she refuses to join the social media craze.

Wal-Mart Says it Won't Oppose Increase in Minimum Wage
May 16, 2014

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said it wouldn't oppose an increase in the federal minimum wage, its most explicit comment yet on the controversial debate to move past the $7.25-an-hour minimum. "We're not opposed to minimum wage increase, unless it's directed exclusively at us," said Wal-Mart U.S. President Bill Simon, referring to an attempt by the District of Columbia city council to require big retailers to pay starting wages that are higher than Washington's minimum wage.

Googleโ€™s Eyewear Unit Glass Names Ivy Ross as New Leader
May 16, 2014

Google named a new leader for its computerized eyewear Glass unit as it gears up for more sales. Ivy Ross will start leading the internet-connected spectacles unit on May 19, according to a post on the company's website. She most recently was chief marketing officer at Art.com, following positions at Coach and Bausch & Lomb. "With your help, I look forward to answering the seemingly simple, but truly audacious questions Glass poses: Can technology be something that frees us up and keeps us in the moment, rather than taking us out of it?" she wrote on the company's website.

Target CMO Responds to Employee Rant Over Culture
May 15, 2014

A week after Gawker published an anonymous rant from a Target corporate employee that further revealed the extent to which the retailer's massive data breach has affected both employee and customer morale, the retailer's Chief Marketing Officer Jeff Jones responded with a LinkedIn post titled "The Truth Hurts." In the letter, which Gawker says was emailed to the website by a current midlevel employee at Target headquarters in Minneapolis, the employee writes about Target's unproductive staffing strategy that

Video: Etsy's CEO on Bringing Out the Human Element in Commerce
May 14, 2014

Many companies say they want to change the world, but few elicit the kind of genuine emotion that the online handmade marketplace Etsy does. After almost a decade online, the site is now home to approximately 1 million active sellers from dozens of countries. From vintage-style furniture to eco-friendly jewelry to toddler craft kits, it's easy to get lost in the pages and pages of creative products. CEO Chad Dickerson is proud of what the Etsy community is able to provide for both sellers and buyers.

Roger Farah Leaves Ralph Lauren โ€” Is J.C. Penney in His Future?
May 13, 2014

I think that Roger Farah (62) has another career in his future plans. It's just been announced the he would leave Ralph Lauren Corporation after spending 14 years as president and chief operating officer. Most recently he was executive vice chairman. In 2013, he turned over the reins of the company to Jackwyn Nemerov and has been phasing out of the daily operation of the company since that time. I'm speculating, but I think it's possible that this fall Mr. Farah will join J.C.Penney as the successor of Myron (Mike) Ullman III. 

Belk Named the Official Style Quarters of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders
May 7, 2014

Belk is now the official style destination of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (DCC). Along with a three-year partnership comes endorsements, appearances and numerous co-branded marketing initiatives such as the iPromise clothing line for the benefit of Susan G. Komen. Belk will also provide the wardrobe for the DCC director, Kelli Finglass, and choreographer, Judy Trammell, as they film season nine of their reality TV show, "Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders โ€” Making the Team." Auditions and taping for the show start on May 10, and the ladies will wear Belk fashion brands throughout the 2014-2016 football seasons.

Target CEO Resigns in Wake of Massive Data Breach
May 5, 2014

Target said Monday that Chief Executive and Chairman Gregg Steinhafel is leaving in the wake of the devastating data breach late last year that hurt profits, shook customer confidence in the No. 3 U.S. retailer and prompted congressional hearings. "After extensive discussions, the board and Gregg Steinhafel have decided that now is the right time for new leadership at Target," Target's board said in a statement released on Monday. Target named Chief Financial Officer John Mulligan as interim president and CEO, and Roxanne Austin, a current member of Target's board of directors, as interim non-executive chair of the board.

Postal Workers to Protest at Staples
April 24, 2014

The American Postal Workers Union has organized protests at 50 of the office supplies stores in 27 states to oppose a deal where U.S. postal products and services are sold at Staples. It's not the first postal worker protest against the Staples mini post offices, but it will be the largest so far this year, according to the union. Members of other postal unions are also expected to join the protests. Since November, 82 Staples stores have been selling traditional mail services as part of a short-term "pilot project" scheduled through September. 

Fab's CEO Sent This Terrifying Memo in a Bizarre Attempt to Rally His Staff
April 22, 2014

In an attempt to set the tone for a new, restructured and a hopefully one day resurrected Fab.com, CEO Jason Goldberg sent around a memo that's less rally-the-troops and more "you're lucky to be here." Titled "It's a f***ing startup. Why are you here?," the note, also posted on his personal website, continues to remind his employees that they could, very realistically, lose their jobs. "I can say with confidence that Fab will win or lose based on our ability to assemble and manage the right people for right now," he writes.