Finance & Capital Management

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart announced that it is helping customers prepare for tax season by offering low-cost tax preparation preparation services and free in-store federal Form 1040EZ filing. In addition, the retailer provides $3 and $6 check-cashing services. 

Minneapolis -- Christopher & Banks Corp. announced that its board of directors approved a change in the company’s fiscal year-end to the Saturday nearest to the end of January, rather than the Saturday nearest to the end of February.

The retailer said the change, which is effective for the company’s current fiscal year, will provide certain benefits, including aligning its reporting periods to be more consistent with that of other specialty retail companies.
 

Grapevine, Texas -- GameStop Corp. on Monday reported nearly flat sales for the nine-week holiday period that ended on Dec. 31. Total sales were $3.02 million, or about the same as last year. Same-store sales slipped 0.3%.

LAS VEGAS — Kodak will debut its latest products, including two new cameras, at the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, despite rumors that the company will be seeking bankruptcy protection.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Walmart is expanding the services it offers at tax time to include free in-store federal Form 1040EZ filing.

The chain has partnered with Jackson Hewitt and H&R Block to double its in-store tax kiosks and lower the cost for tax preparation services. Jackson Hewitt will offer free federal Form 1040EZ filing at its Walmart kiosks throughout the tax season, and H&R Block will offer a free federal Form 1040EZ until Feb. 29.

West chester, Pa. -- QVC announced that Linda Dillman has been appointed CIO, Dillman most recently served as senior VP global IT at HP. Previously, she was executive VP and CIO at Wal-Mart Stores.

GRAPEVINE, Texas — GameStop reported that total sales for the nine-week holiday period ended Dec. 31 were $3.03 billion, up slightly from 2010, thanks to strong sales in new video game software.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Catalina Marketing has named John Miles as its new EVP and CIO. As Catalina’s EV{ and CIO, Miles will be responsible for leading IT strategy, research and development and new product development.

Since 2009, Miles served as a senior member of the Dell leadership team and CIO for its global commercial and consumer businesses. He has also held senior executive and technology positions with Lowe’s and Lend Lease Inc., as well as consulting positions at Arthur Anderson and Booz Allen Hamilton.