eCommerce

Profits grew faster than sales at Walmart’s international division last year, despite investments to drive record expansion and inventory growth, as EDLP took hold in more markets.

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.

Fourth-quarter same-store sales at JCPenney declined 1.8%, and the company lost $87 million, but those details are being overlooked for the time being as execution of the transformation strategy envisioned by CEO Ron Johnson began less than a month ago.

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.

Nashville, Tenn. -- X Team International announced that Nashville-based partner Baker Storey McDonald Properties has acquired two shopping centers located in Kentucky and Ohio.

News this week that Walmart acquired a majority stake in one of China’s fastest growing e-commerce companies positions Walmart to become a dominant multichannel player in China far faster than it ever would have on its own.

San Francisco -- Gap Inc. reported Thursday that net income for the fourth quarter plummeted 40% on higher costs and aggressive discounting during the holiday selling season.

Net income for the quarter ended Jan. 28 was $218 million, compared with $365 million a year earlier. Sales dipped to $4.28 billion in the quarter, from $4.36 billion, matching Wall Street estimates.

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. — While Kohl's may have reported decreases in both sales and net income for its fourth quarter, fiscal 2011 proved to be another profitable year for the retailer.

The company reported fourth quarter diluted earnings per share increased 9% to $1.81. However, net income for the quarter decreased 8% to $455 million, compared with $494 million ($1.66 per diluted share) a year ago. Net sales for the quarter fell 0.3% to $6 billion, while comparable-store sales decreased 2.1%.