Corporate Governance

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — Staples reported that total company sales for the fourth quarter were $6.6 billion, an increase of 3% over the same period last year.

On a GAAP basis, the company reported fourth quarter 2012 net income of $90 million, or 14 cents per share, compared with net income of $284 million, or 41 cents per diluted share, achieved in the fourth quarter of 2011. 

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Big Lots reported income from continuing operations of $120.3 million, or $2.09 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012, meeting the company's expectations for net income to be in the range of $1.91 to $2.10 per diluted share.

Net sales for U.S. operations for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 increased 4.4% to $1.8 billion, compared to $1.6 billion for the same period of fiscal 2011. Comparable-store sales for U.S. stores decreased 3.5% for the quarter. 

SPARKS, Md. — McCormick announced that Chuck Langmead has been promoted to president of global industrial. In his new role, Langmead will help McCormick drive sales growth by aligning its customer intimacy efforts and driving its strategy consistently across McCormick's industrial businesses worldwide.

PITTSBURGH — American Eagle Outfitters reported adjusted fiscal year 2012 earnings for the 53 weeks ended February 2, 2013 of $1.39 per share, a 43% increase from fiscal year 2011 adjusted earnings of 97 cents per share for the 52 weeks ended January 28, 2012. 

CHICAGO — Schawk, a provider of brand development and deployment services, enabling companies of all sizes to connect their brands with consumers, announced that it has appointed Jackie DeLise to the position of vice president of business development.  

AMSTERDAM — Rene Dahan will step down as Royal Ahold's board chairman in October, the Dutch supermarket operator said Wednesday.

Netherlands-based Ahold — which operates the Stop & Shop, Giant-Landover and Giant-Carlisle chains and the Peapod online grocery service in the United States through its Ahold USA subsidiary — said that Dahan would step down after serving on the company's board since 2004. The company plans to propose at its shareholder meeting the appointment of Jan Hommen as Dahan's successor.

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation said it supports legislation that would repeal the employer mandate provision of the health care reform law scheduled to take effect next year.

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. -- Kohl’s simultaneously opened nine new stores in seven states, bringing the retailer’s total store count to 1,155.

Stores open Wednesday in Decatur, Ala., Danville, Ill., Ames, Iowa, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Minot, N.D., Sherwood, Ore., Hermitage, Pa., Spring Township, Pa. and Denton, Texas.

“As Kohl’s continues to grow, investing in our stores remains a priority,” said Kevin Mansell, president and CEO.

Mansell added that the chain will also remodel 30 locations in 2013.

NEW YORK and MINNEAPOLIS — Target has teamed up with Fast Company to launch Co.Labs & Target Retail Accelerator, a contest for developers to create a new mobile experience for Target and claim a $75,000 grand prize. Fast Company will chronicle the developers' efforts on its new technology vertical Co.Labs.

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Office Depot is partnering with Real Change Productions to recognize teachers for their positive influence on today’s youth, as well as raise awareness for a donation program benefiting classrooms throughout the country.