Home Improvement

Olympia, Wash. -- Youngstown, Ohio-based Cafaro Co. said Tuesday that Ross Dress for Less will open a new store at its Target Place Plaza, located in Olympia, Wash.

The new 28,000-sq.-ft. store will open to the public on March 5.

Target Place Plaza is a 282,183-sq.-ft. center anchored by Target, along with Ross Dress For Less, OfficeMax, Macy’s Furniture Gallery, FedEx Kinkos, Whistle Workwear, Honey Baked Ham, Jo-Ann Etc. and more.

 BOCA RATON, Fla.-- Office Depot announced that it has launched a new line of energy-efficient lamps under the “Realspace” brand. The full range of Realspace lighting is available at more than 1,100 Office Depot retail store locations across the country and online at www.officedepot.com.

According to the company, all Realspace lighting is California Compliant, with each lamp packaged with a low energy light-bulb. The Realspace Collection also offers an assortment of LED lamps, which are 70%more efficient than using incandescent bulbs.

Minneapolis -- Best Buy Co. announced it will free delivery and no interest financing if paid in full within 18 months on all appliance purchases over $429.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Holdings Corp. in a regulatory filing on Friday reported that its newly named CEO Louis J. D'Ambrosio will be compensated $7.2 million and a charter airplane for his commute from Pennsylvania to Illinois, as calculated and reported by the Associated Press.

D’Ambrosio will also be eligible for a bonus of up to $2 million, according to the report.

BEAUMONT, Texas -- Conn’s announced that it has appointed Theodore Wright to the position of interim CEO and president, following the news that Timothy Frank will step down as president and CEO of the company and resign as a director to pursue other opportunities.Conn’s said it will immediately commence a formal search to identify a permanent CEO.

TOANO, Va.  -- Lumber Liquidators announced that William Schlegel has joined the company as its chief merchandising officer, effective March 14, 2011.  In this position, Schlegel will oversee the company's merchandising, replenishment and allocation and global sourcing activities, and will report directly to Robert Lynch, president and COO.

Mooresville, N.C. -- Lowe’s reported a 39% increase in fiscal fourth-quarter earnings to $285 million, up from $205 million a year earlier.

Sales grew 3% in the latest quarter to $10.5 billion. Same-store sales rose 1.1%.

For fiscal 2010, net income grew to $2 billion, from $1.8 billion in fiscal 2009. Sales grew to $48.8 billion from $47.2 billion.

The company expects to open 25 to 30 stores in 2011.

Chain Store Age has launched the fourth edition of its New Product Digest, which is designed to provide retailers with the latest news regarding new products and services, and to help suppliers promote their companies while influencing buying decisions.
 
The companies featured in this volume include Federal Health Specialty Contracting, The Maintenance Company and DuctSox. Check out this month's edition.