International Business

Miami -- Walmart Latin America CEO Eduardo Solorzano said Thursday in a speech that Walmart is using the company's expertise in sustainability as a means for profitable growth. 

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Mattel reported that for the fourth quarter, net income was $325.2 million, or 89 cents per share, compared with last year’s fourth quarter net income of $328.4 million, or 89  cents per share. For the year, the company reported net income of $684.9 million, or $1.86 per share, compared with last year’s net income of $528.7 million, or $1.45 per share.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Walmart announced that the Walmart Foundation committing more than $750,000 in cash and in-kind donations to support emergency relief efforts in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil where an estimated 827 people have been killed and thousands have been left homeless following torrential rains and mudslides. A $400,000 donation from the Walmart Foundation will help purchase critical supplies like water, food, medical supplies and long-term relief efforts.

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. -- Whirlpool Corporation announced fourth-quarter net earnings of $171 million, or $2.19 per diluted share, compared with $95 million, or $1.24 per diluted share reported during the same period last year.  Fourth-quarter adjusted diluted earnings per share totaled $2.11 compared with $1.67 in the prior year.  Sales of $5 billion increased 4% from the fourth quarter of 2009.

Fourth-quarter operating profit totaled $202 million compared with $199 million in the prior year.  

SAN FRANCISCO -- Gap Inc. has announced a series of significant management and organizational changes at Gap brand designed to drive more consistent results in North America and to provide a new and dynamic creative leadership structure that will deliver sustainable global growth. The changes are effective immediately.

New York City -- Gap announced a series of changes to help revive its struggling namesake division, which hasn't posted a gain on an annual basis since 2004. The company has tapped the head of its outlet division, Art Peck, to replace Marka Hansen as leader of the Gap brand for North America, effective immediately. Peck is credited with growing the company’s highly-profitable Outlet business for the past three years. He also has been a primary architect of the company’s franchise business and international growth platform.

New York City -- Athletic goods and footwear company Asics has opened an ultra-modern flagship in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The two-level store, located next to the city's legendary Vondelpark running center, has a sleek, futuristic design and offers several exclusive services, including advanced biomechanical and running analysis systems. Click here to see photos.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. -- The TJX Companies announced that its board of directors approved a new management structure as part of the company’s ongoing leadership succession planning. Carol Meyrowitz continues as CEO as well as a director of The TJX Companies and has entered into another two-year employment agreement. Ernie Herrman has been promoted to president of The TJX Companies from his post of senior EVP, group president.

Meyrowitz will now have Herrman and Jeffrey Naylor, senior EVP, chief financial and administrative officer, reporting to her.