Finance & Capital Management

Matthews, N.C. -- Family Dollar Stores announced Wednesday that it plans to open 450 to 500 new stores in fiscal 2012, a 50% jump compared with the number of openings in fiscal 2011, and will renovate, relocate or expand over 1,000 locations. The discounter also reported that its fiscal fourth-quarter net income rose 8%.

“In fiscal 2012, we intend to accelerate investments to drive sales and profitability,” said Howard Levine, chairman and CEO.

MINNEAPOLIS — While other retailers are beefing up their sales staff ahead of the holiday season, Best Buy Co. said Tuesday that it has cut its 2011 seasonal hiring plans to about half of last year’s staff numbers, in a move to curtail costs. This year’s plans call for 15,000 holiday workers, compared with 29,000 hired last year.

Oak Brook, Ill. -- Ace Hardware Corp. has selected Suffolk, Va., for the company’s new 336,000-sq.-ft. Import Re-Distribution Center (RDC). Construction is scheduled for completion May 1, 2012.

The facility will allow the company to reduce import and logistics costs and provide an even higher level of service to East Coast retailers, making it possible for Ace stores to more effectively respond to consumer needs dictated by hurricanes and other weather emergencies in the region.

VEVEY, Switzerland — Wan Ling Martello, who currently serves as Walmart's EVP global e-commerce of emerging markets, has been named EVP and CFO of Nestlé, effective April 1, 2012. Martello will replace Jim Singh will retire in March 2012 after 35 years with the company.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — Staples has promoted Christine Komola to CFO effective Feb. 1, 2012. She will report to John Mahoney, Staples’ vice chairman. The responsibilities of the CFO will transition to Komola the next year.

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Office Depot has fired the president of its international business for "having an improper relationship."

Charlie Brown, president of the international division, has left the organization, effective Monday, the company announced in a press release.