Target Targets Quinnipiac For Its Retail Recruiting
Target Corp., the Minneapolis-based retail giant, is targeting the future leaders studying at Quinnipiac University in Hamden as it seeks to develop its next generation of store managers.
The university's School of Business is hosting the school's first Target Corp. Leadership Symposium from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 24. Quinnipiac received a $5,000 grant from Target for the event.
Brittany Blair, senior field campus recruiter for Target in New England out of its Danvers, Mass., location, said, "We've recruited great students in the past and are hoping this will allow us to get leaders off the campus."
The retailer focuses mostly on business and management majors. "We're open to all majors," Blair said, "but students degreed in business and management are our core audience. Communication and psychology majors do well. We think we can teach you everything you need to know about Target. We're looking for people with backgrounds in team leadership."
Target goes on campuses like Quinnipiac and the University of Connecticut to hire co-store managers. (The national upscale discounter has 20 stores in Connecticut.) Blair, herself recruited four years ago by Target from the University of New Hampshire, said the national retailer doesn't release specific recruiting numbers, but it has hired 10 to 15 people from its Quinnipiac recruitment efforts.
The down economy hasn't affected Target's recruiting strategy, Blair said, but the quantity of applicants has. "We're seeing more interest. [Applicants] are more open minded about career paths, more willing to try something. The candidate flow is definitely heavy," said Blair. "We are stilling hiring a great deal and doing well in this economy."
Target's net profit in 2009 was $2.48 billion, up from $2.21 billion in 2008, but down from $2.84 billion in 2007.
Increased interest from applicants, though, does nothing to increase the job pool. Blair said Target would still only interview 40 to 45 students each year for the fall and spring semesters. By the way, Target is mostly hiring traditional students and not people attending college later in life.
Doctors Make Store Visit
Stew Leonard’s, which bills itself as the world’s largest dairy store, has begun rolling out on-site physicals for its employees. To date, they have been offered at its Norwalk, Danbury and Yonkers, N.Y., stores. It has a fourth location in Newington.
Employees received their annual physical performed by a medical team with Inter State Diagnostic Inc.
“Stew Leonard’s surveyed our team members and we found that a lack of time and not having a trusted doctor locally kept many from getting their yearly physicals,” said Jill Leonard Tavello, executive vice president of culture and communications at Stew Leonard’s. “By bringing the doctors and nurses from Inter State Diagnostic directly to our store, we hope to keep our [employees] healthy and reinforce the importance of preventive care.”
Stew Leonard’s preventive health care measures for its more than 2,500 employees also include on-site cholesterol and blood pressure screenings, mammograms, and flu shots offered throughout the year; discounts on weight-loss programs, smoking cessation aids, and fitness center memberships provided to full- and part-time workers.
Sears Will Aid MS Society
On Saturday, Sept. 18, the Sears Hometown Store in Barkhamsted, in partnership with the National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter, will offer a 5 percent discount to customers on entire transaction and will wrap up the day by donating three percent of all sales to the Connecticut Chapter. Additional corporate discounts also apply.
“As a small town store, we’re committed to giving back,” said Bill Baer, who launched the business 13 years ago. “We have friends and customers who battle multiple sclerosis. Everyone on staff at Barkhamsted Sears is happy to support the fight against this disease.”
Shop Opens In Cromwell
Veda’s Uniform Boutique held a grand opening event at its location in the Cromwell Commons Plaza, 136 Berlin Road, Cromwell, on Aug. 5. Middlesex Chamber President Larry McHugh, Cromwell First Selectman John Flanders, and Cromwell Division Chairman Mike Camilleri were on hand. Veda’s Uniform Boutique is owned and operated by Veda Flowers and its goal is to provide nursing uniforms at affordable prices. The store specializes in custom-made uniforms, shoes, accessories, as well as unisex scrubs. For more information, visit www.vedasuniformboutique.com.
Dressbarn Rewards Teachers
Women’s apparel retailer Dressbarn Inc. is offering a special deal for teachers.
Between Sept. 30 and Oct. 3, each Dressbarn store will conduct a one-day Very Indulgent Party that offers teachers a 15 percent discount on purchases.
“Teachers give so much of themselves to our children, and it’s a privilege to be able to give something back,” says Vivian Behrens, executive vice president and chief marketing officer of Dressbarn Inc.
Dressbarn has seven stores in Greater Hartford — Manchester, Bristol, Rocky Hill, Middletown, West Hartford, Plainville and Vernon. Check locally for the sale date at each store.
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