Finance & Capital Management

Ahead of Walmart's fourth-quarter sales and earnings report on Feb. 21, analysts have high expectations for the company. Reuters reported that nalysts on average expect to see the company's best U.S. sales performance in more than two years, and anticipate that Walmart's store traffic will improve.

To see more about what Reuters had to say, click here.

Cary, N.C. -- C-store chain The Pantry announced Wednesday that it has appointed Dennis G. Hatchell as president and CEO, effective March 5.

Hatchell succeeds Edwin Holman who served as interim CEO since Terrance Marks resigned as CEO effective in October 2011.

Hatchell previously served as vice chairman of Alex Lee, a holding company for Lowe’s Food Stores, Merchants Distributors and Institution Food House.

SEATTLE — A Tuesday report by the Seattle Times said that Eddie Bauer chief Neil Fiske, who joined the retailer in 2007 and led it through bankruptcy, will leave his post effective March 2.

The company has not given a reason for Fiske’s sudden departure. David Chamberlain, executive chairman, will serve as interim CEO until a permanent replacement is named. Fiske will remain with the company as a consultant to ensure a smooth transition.

New Albany, Ohio -- Margin squeezes and flagging same-store sales hurt Abercrombie & Fitch Co.’s fourth quarter profit dropped nearly 80% drop, to $19.6 million from $92.6 million a year earlier, amid margin squeezes and flat same-store sales.

Washington, D.C. -- The monthly Global Port Tracker report, released Wednesday by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates, said that import cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports is expected to be down 6.8% in February from the same month a year ago. However, volumes should show year-over-year increases through most of the remaining first half of 2012.

Wilsonart International, a maker of laminate flooring, countertops and sinks, has named Kristen Manos as its new president. She replaces Bill Gaetano, who announced his retirement late last year. DiGaetano has been president of Wilsonart since 2005 and is a 33-year veteran of the Temple, Texas, company. 

Chicago -- A survey released Wednesday by WorkInRetail.com found that 45% of retail hiring managers are concerned that their top workers will leave the organization in 2012.

WorkInRetail.com, CareerBuilder’s job site for retail professionals, polled 247 retail hiring managers and 654 full-time retail employees in November and December 2011. The survey was conducted by Harris Interactive.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid is offering $481 million in eight-year senior notes to refinance debt that is scheduled to come due in three years, the retail pharmacy chain said Tuesday.

Rite Aid said it would use money from the offering to pay interest and other expenses related to a tender offer announced Tuesday for all outstanding 8.625% senior notes due 2015. The price includes the $459 million principal plus a 2.625% premium.