Corporate Governance

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas — Dillard's ended its fiscal year with higher income and increased sales, and heads into 2012 on the heels of a record-setting performance.

The company reported income for the fourth quarter ended Jan. 28 of $141.5 million, or $2.77 per share. For the prior year fourth quarter, Dillard's reported net income of $109.6 million, or $1.75 per share.

Dallas -- Blockbuster parent Dish Network confirmed Thursday that it will close 500 underperforming Blockbuster video stores in the first quarter, which equates to about a third of its stores.

The company, which acquired Blockbuster in 2011, said it plans to expand Dish Services offerings in the remaining Blockbuster stores. It currently offers the services in 150 stores.

New York City -- A Friday report in Crain’s New York Business said that Dallas-based 7-Eleven, which currently has 12 c-stores in Manhattan, plans to open another 14 in 2012.

Parent company Seven & I Holdings Co. said some of the 14 spaces were leased last year, but others have not been sited yet. Neighborhoods to be developed include Midtown, Greenwich Village, Chelsea and the Upper East Side. The Financial District is also on the boards, according to the report, which said that another 20 locations are planned between 2013 and 2017.

Vancouver -- J. Crew has announced three new Canadian store openings, according to a report in the Financial Post.

The new locations include stores in Vancouver, Edmonton and Toronto, and will join the sole store already open in the country as well as herald the launch of the retailer’s men’s apparel line in Canada.

New York City -- Kenneth Cole Productions' board of directors has formed a special committee of independent directors to consider a non-binding proposal from Kenneth Cole, chairman and chief creative officer, that would take the company private.

Mahwah, N.J. -- The Home Furnishings Independents Association said Friday it has selected TD Retail Card Services’ Renovate Card private-label credit card program for use by its 1,100 retail members nationwide.

Englewood, Colo. -- Liberty Interactive, parent company of QVC, reported revenue growth for the fourth quarter and full year thanks to favorable results at QVC and its e-commerce division.

Liberty Interactive's revenue increased 7% to $3.1 billion in the fourth quarter, and 8% to $9.6 billion for the year.

"QVC finished the year strong with impressive Q4 results, particularly in the United States and Japan, despite a challenging macroeconomic environment," stated Greg Maffei, Liberty Interactive president and CEO.

Edens will unveil Mosaic in fall 2012. The urban grid design mixing hotel, office and retail, Mosaic is a 31-acre mixed-use development located in the heart of Merrifield, Va.

Mosaic offers a wide variety of on-site amenities including a diverse offering of restaurants unique to the community, shops and large-scale retailers, specialty services and more, all within walking distance.

Los Angeles -- American Apparel appointed Stacey Shulman as chief technology officer effective Feb. 22.

Shulman was previously the company’s VP technology and will have responsibility for American Apparel’s global information and technology operations.

Dallas -- J.C. Penney Co. swung to a loss of $87 million in the fourth-quarter, compared with a profit of $271 million in the year-ago period. The chain’s results were dragged down by restructuring and management transition charges, as well as costs tied to its new pricing strategy.