U.S. employers have modest hiring plans for the second quarter, according to the results of the latest Manpower Employment Outlook Survey, conducted quarterly by Manpower Inc.

This quarter’s research concludes:

Year-over-Year increase: With a seasonally adjusted outlook of +5 percent, employers indicate a moderate increase in hiring expectations compared to one year ago, when the seasonally adjusted outlook was -2 percent. read more »

The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) and Washington Retail Association (WRA) are urging retailers to e-mail their U.S. Senators to protect them from further increases in so-called interchange fees.

These fees imposed by credit card companies and issuing banks for processing credit and debit transactions have been skyrocketing. For example, they tripled in the United States between 2001 and 2008, to $48 billion. read more »

Independent contractors would face possible fines under Senate bill 6575 now in the House Rules Committee.

The bill would cause workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance costs to rise for contractors who hired more than one subcontractor to do work for them. The requirement, in an amendment to the bill, aims to make sure that all contractors working in the state are registered with Labor & Industries. read more »

Macy’s CMO Peter Sachse spent the majority of his keynote speech at the Retail Innovation & Marketing Conference talking about a shift in company focus. Instead of its traditional tunnel-vision focus on the product, he said, Macy’s has started focusing on the customer. Sachse’s presentation offered a fascinating insight into how — and why — a major retailer has changed its approach to interacting with and listening to shoppers. read more »

Washington’s economy picked up some steam in January, adding an estimated 12,400 jobs — the first monthly gain since November 2008.

“This is a positive sign for Washington State,” Gov. Chris Gregoire said. “We have implemented several strategies to create jobs, and it’s paying off. There is more we can and should do — that’s why I continue to work with leaders at both the state and federal levels to develop additional proposals that will put people to work.” read more »

Even though more out-of-work executives are on the interview circuit, neckties still can’t muster a comeback.

As the unemployment rate climbed to 10 percent last year, tie industry executives pinned their hopes on men purchasing new ties to dress up their old suits. But that didn’t happen.

Instead, suit sales in the U.S. rebounded to end 2009 virtually unchanged from a year earlier, a marked improvement after years of decline. read more »

After more than two years of being outdistanced by Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Target Corp. said it is coming out with guns blazing, planning to prove it is the low-price leader and offers better quality than its larger rival.

Target wants to retool the way many customers view both it and Wal-Mart, Chief Executive Gregg Steinhafel said. “Regardless of the economic environment going forward, we’ll continue to address the gap between the perception and the reality of our pricing.” read more »

Starbucks, responding to customer demand for larger cold beverages, is selling 31-ounce iced teas and iced coffees in Phoenix and Tampa as part of a limited market test, the coffee chain said.

The move from the world’s biggest coffee chain comes as some McDonald’s restaurants around the United States continue to offer 32-ounce sweet tea for $1 in a bid to draw customers to stores. read more »