Williams Sonoma news stories on Newser

For Retail Workers, Big Bro Is Tracking

Laurel Jorgensen — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 06:37:27 CDT

As a sluggish economy pinches retailers, many are now turning to computer programs to track employee productivity, the Wall Street Journal reports. At Ann Taylor stores, a computer system calculates average sales per hour, units sold, and dollars per transaction —then automatically schedules the best workers during the store’s peak...

Top Telecom Exec Takes Over As Qwest CEO

Peter Fearon — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 07:24:04 CDT

A top telecom veteran has been named CEO of struggling Qwest. Edward Mueller, 60-year-old former chief executive of Ameritech and Williams-Sonoma, takes the reins from Dick Notebaert, who ran the company for five years, the Wall Street Journal reports. The country's fourth-largest telephone company, Qwest faces increased pressure from competitors...