Strategy

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. — Quiksilver, the manufacturer of outdoor sports apparel, has appointed Richard Shields as CFO, effective May 11. Shields will be responsible for all areas of the company’s finance and accounting on a global basis.

Ontario, Calif. -- Westwood Financial Corp. has sold Pacific Plaza Shopping Center located at in Ontario, Calif., for $7.4 million.

“This transaction is the latest in our firm’s overall plan to rebalance our portfolio, as the funds generated here will be reinvested in grocery-anchored properties in the Southeast,” said Westwood financial executive VP Joe Dykstra.

First quarter sales at Amazon.com surged 34% to $13.2 billion during the first quarter ended March 31, but profits declined 35% to $130 million due to rising expenses related to growth initiatives.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Walmart announced that its Acres for America program is conserving an additional 300 acres of land to protect and restore wildlife habitats in the heart of U.S. cities, including Bridgeport, Chicago, Portland, San Diego, and Washington, D.C.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Holdings announced the launch of a wholly owned subsidiary called MetaScale, that will provide data-management services.

Sears sees the venture as a natural expansion of the resources it has spent to build the infrastructure it needs to manage data for its more than 4,000 Sears and Kmart stores nationwide.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target is partnering with Norah Jones for a deluxe edition of her fifth studio album, “Little Broken Hearts.” The Target deluxe edition of “Little Broken Hearts” is available now for pre-order at Target.com/NorahJones and will be offered at Target stores nationwide beginning May 1.

Sidney, Neb. -- Cabela’s Inc. reported Thursday that net income for the first quarter rose a record 62% to $28.8 million, from $17.8 million last year.

Revenue increased 6.3% to $623.5 million, and same-store sales increased 4.2%.

"This strong performance gives us confidence our growth strategy is working and working well," said Tommy Millner, Cabela's CEO.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Books-A-Million has named Todd Noden as Chief Financial Officer. In his new role, Noden will report to Terrance Finley, CEO and president of Books-A-Million. Noden will replace current CFO Brian White, who resigned to pursue other endeavors effective April 25.