International Business

Target salvaged its fourth quarter with a 3.1% increase in January same store sales that followed disappointing results in December and November.

Target said sales for the five weeks ended February 2, increased 29.6% to nearly $6 billion due to the inclusion of an extra week in the recent reporting period.

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. -- Whirlpool Corporation (WHR) and Harbor Habitat for Humanity have completed construction on the homes built in partnership with Tynisha Murphy and the Patterson family, dedicating the homes in a ceremony that took place Dec. 8. The builds took place on side-by-side lots in the Harbor Shores community of Benton Harbor. 

ATLANTA — Retail merchandising solutions provider, Predictix, has named Tom Fischer managing director for Europe, Middle East and Africa. Fischer will be responsible for managing Predictix’ EMEA sales, client implementation and support activities in a growing international business.

AutoZone has elected Linda A. Goodspeed to its board of directors. Goodspeed is SVPand chief information officer (CIO) of The ServiceMaster Company, a position she has held since 2011.

"Linda's extensive background in information technology and the automotive industry will complement and enhance the collective skills of our Board," said Bill Rhodes, chairman, president and CEO. "We are fortunate to have her as a new board member."

Prior to joining The ServiceMaster Company, Goodspeed was VP information systems for Nissan North America.

Business-to-consumer e-commerce sales in 2012 grew 21.1% to top $1 trillion for the first time, according to new global estimates by research firm, eMarketer. 

The firm predicts that 2013 will be even better, with e-commerce sales up 18.3% to $1.298 trillion worldwide, on the strength of the Asia-Pacific market. 

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark executives expressed optimism Wednesday morning as the company posted record fourth-quarter results, raised its 2013 guidance and continues to work to leverage its distinctive business model to help people on their path to better health amid a rapidly changing healthcare environment.

TORONTO — Canadian consumers eager to get their hands on a Target loyalty card can now apply for one. Target Canada announced that pplications for its REDcard products - the Target Debit Card and the Target RBC‡ MasterCard - are now available online at Target.ca/redcard. Guests planning to shop at Target stores in Canada with a REDcard will receive an additional 5% off Target's already low prices, applied instantly at the time of purchase.

PITTSBURGH — American Eagle Outfitters has agreed to a mutual termination of its license agreement in China, Hong Kong and surrounding markets with Dickson Concepts (International) Limited. Consistent with its long-term global expansion strategy and the importance of this market, the company took the opportunity to exit its agreement and will assume operation of six existing stores in China and Hong Kong.

CARLISLE, Pa. — Ahold has appointed the former head of one of its European supermarket chains to an executive position in its U.S. division.

Ahold USA said it appointed Jan van Dam as EVP supply chain and e-commerce, in which he will focus on supply chain for the company's four U.S. divisions, Stop & Shop in the New York area and New England, Giant-Landover and Giant-Carlisle. He will also be responsible for the company's e-commerce business with Andrew Parkinson, president and general manager of online grocery company Peapod, reporting to him.

Third party logistic provider Kenco was chosen by Haier America to manage the appliance brand’s U.S. distribution.