Appliances

New York City -- Kmart stores is laying off 700 employees in its appliance departments.

The chain, a division of Sears Holdings Corp., is changing the way it sells appliances, allowing customers to check out appliances at any register rather than going to a dedicated register. Instead of having dedicated appliance-only associates, all Kmart staffers are being trained to answer questions about appliances.

There will also be a 1-800 number customers can call for help.

Minneapolis -- Best Buy Co. reported Tuesday that net income for the first quarter fell 12% to $136 million, hurt by increased promotions and lower demand for such items as flat-panel televisions and digital cameras. But strong showings in China, mobile phone sales and online performance pushed helped to boost profit and revenue past analyst estimates.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Fortune Brands announced that it has named E. Lee Wyatt as SVP and CFO of its home and security unit.

Wyatt was most recently EVP and CFOat HanesBrands. Prior to joining HanesBrands in advance of its 2006 spin-off, Wyatt served as a VP of Sara Lee and as CFO of Sara Lee branded apparel from 2005 to 2006. His previous executive leadership positions include serving as EVP, CFO and treasurer of Sonic Automotive and as VP administration and CFO of Sealy Corporation.

Toronto -- Sears Canada has replaced more than 130,000 inefficient incandescent spotlights with energy-saving LED lighting in all Sears Home and full-line stores across Canada. The retrofit will reduce the company's electricity use by more than 16 million kilowatt hours (kWh) per year.

St. Paul, Minn. -- Paster Enterprises announced Wednesday that six new tenants have been secured at the company’s projects throughout the Twin Cities area. 

New tenants include Massage Elements, V4U, Home Choice, Broadway Pizza, National Karate and United Family Medicine.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears Holdings announced that it has reached a license agreement with Dorcy International, which will allow Dorcy to sell DieHard-branded alkaline/rechargeable batteries and flashlights to retailers in the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Caribbean.

ELMHURST, Ill. — The Chamberlain Group, a manufacturer of access control products, has announced two promotions. Dick Gregory has been promoted to VP Chamberlain retail sales, and Anthony Abate has been appointed marketing channel manager for retail national accounts.

Conshohocken, Pa. — Ikea plans to install solar photovoltaic systems on six more of its locations in the Eastern United States. Pending governmental permits, installation will begin in late spring, with completion expected this fall.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. — Sears Holdings has named William Phelan as acting CFO, replacing Michael Collins, currently SVP and CFO, who resigned last week to pursue another opportunity, the company reported in an SEC filing.

Collins will remain with the company until June 10 in order to ensure a smooth transition, Sears noted in the filing.

Plano, Texas -- JCPenney Co. announced that it will up its participation in the Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star program to 400 stores by the end of 2013. Energy Star certification is awarded to buildings that rank within the top 25% of similar commercial buildings nationwide by meeting strict energy performance levels set by the EPA.

JCPenney has a companywide goal to reduce facility energy use 20% by 2015.