Consumer Electronics

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Office Depot swung to profitability during the fourth quarter, despite a 5% comp sales decline at North American retail stores where the retailer shunned promotional activity during the holidays.

FAIRFIELD, N.J. — Consumers trust retailers will provide them with safe, effective products — no easy task when one considers the numerous items any given company can sell. This is especially true for such retailers as Wal-Mart Stores, which has approved a partnership with SGS for safety and compliance testing for all wireless and automotive products sold through Walmart and Sam's Club, both in store and online, for the U.S. market.

585 Boardriders, a new retail concept from Quiksilver Inc., is designed as the ultimate destination for surfers and those who aspire to the surf-inspired lifestyle. Housing clothes and accessories from the company’s various brands, including Roxy and DC, the 10,000-sq.-ft. store also stocks an extensive selection of boards and wetsuits.

Kansas City, Kan. – OTB Destination announced that the area’s first White House | Black Market Outlet boutique will open at Legends Outlets Kansas City in May 2012.

The women’s retailer will offer a collection designed specifically for the outlet boutique, while offering a select assortment of product from their full-price boutiques as well. The White House Black Market Outlet boutique will occupy an overall square footage of 2,955 next to Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th.

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.

Minneapolis -- Target Corp. reported Thursday that profit for the quarter ended Jan. 28 slid 5.2% to $981 million, from $1.04 billion in the prior year.

Revenue increased 3.3% to $20.94 billion, missing Wall Street’s expected $21.23 billion in revenue. Same-store sales rose 2.2%.

Heavy discounting during the holiday season cut into fourth-quarter profits, but Target still is forecasting a full-year profit outlook that beats analysts’ expectations.

Gurnee, Ill. -- Indianapolis-based The Mills/Simon announced that Kitchen Collection will open at Gurnee Mills, the largest outlet and value retail shopping destination in Illinois.

Kitchen Collection will open on March 16 and be located near Burlington Coat Factory, Rink Side Sports and Shoppers World.