Consumer Electronics

Minneapolis -- Best Buy has hired Sharon McCollam, formerly CFO of Williams- Sonoma Inc., as CFO, beginning Dec. 10.

McCollam, 50, had been COO and CFO at the home goods retailer before retiring. She also takes the title of chief administrative officer at Best Buy.

McCollam replaces James Muehlbauer, who said he was leaving in October. Muehlbauer will continue to advise the company until the end of the fiscal year in February.

Minneapolis -- Best Buy today announced that retired director, EVP, chief operating and CFO of Williams-Sonoma, Inc., Sharon McCollam, will join the company as its new chief administrative and CFO, effective Dec. 10, according to a Reuters report. McCollam, 50, left Williams-Sonoma earlier this year after serving as an executive officer for more than 12 years.

McCollam succeeds CFO James Muehlbauer, whose departure was announced last month. Muehlbauer will leave the company at the end of this fiscal year, allowing for a smooth transition.

New York -- Target plans to open at 9 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day to kick of its Black Friday promotional efforts and will follow up with additional deals that become available at 4 a.m.

The company is also rewarding its REDcard holders by allowing them early access to select Black Friday sale items at Target.com.

Target plans to open at 9 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day to kick of its Black Friday promotional efforts and will follow up with additional deals that become available at 4 a.m.

The company is also rewarding its REDcard holders by allowing them early access to select Black Friday sale items at Target.com.

Walmart will sell a bazillion electronics products this holiday season, no thanks to Consumer Reports which rates the company last as a CE destination.

Apple and Costco were ranked one and two as the best venues for CE items followed by a bizarre classification called "independents," considering the CE space is dominated by chains. The Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) and Sam’s Club ranked highly. Walmart was last among the 14 physical retailers ranked with a score of 81, compared to Apple and Costco at 92.

Minneapolis -- Target Corp. announced a partnership with CNET – a top website for consumer electronics and tech news – to provide guests with CNET Editors’ Picks for Target, in time for the holiday season. The collaboration is part of a larger, ongoing partnership between Target and CNET.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart has unveiled its Black Friday circular and event times on www.Walmart.com as well as its Facebook wall and mobile app. The retailer's Black Friday circular includes hundreds of brand name electronics, toys, apparel, sporting goods and home and houseware items. Backed by Walmart's ad match guarantee, items featured in the Black Friday circular will be available during three events starting at 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 22.

New York -- Dick's Sporting Goods Inc. opened three stores, including one relocated store, on Nov. 7. Of the two new stores, one was located at Stoneridge Village, Jefferson City, Mo.; and the other at Spokane Valley Mall, Spokane, Wash. The retailer relocated its N. Springboro Pike store to Dayton Mall, Dayton, Ohio.

In October, Dick’s celebrated the opening of 17 stores throughout the United States.