eCommerce

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Lowe’s has announced plans to hire up to 300 information technology professionals, including 150 new positions. 

Lowe's reported that positions are now open across all IT professions, including business analysis, engineering, communications network, ecommerce, application development, program management and project management. The positiobns will be based at Lowe’s corporate headquarters in Mooresville, N.C.

With the dust settled from Target’s first-quarter earnings announcement last week, it has become quite apparent the company would not be faring well were it not for the beneficial effects of the PFresh remodeling program and last fall’s introduction of 5% REDcard Rewards.

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.

NEW YORK  — Ann Inc., the parent company of Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor Loft stores, reported that for the fiscal first quarter of 2011, earnings per diluted share were 51 cents, compared with earnings per diluted share of 38 cents in the first quarter of 2010.

New York City -- Liberty Media Corp. has offered to buy Barnes & Noble in a deal valued at about $1 billion, which represents a 20% premium over the bookseller’s market value Thursday. Barnes & Noble said Thursday that the cash offer, which the Wall Street Journal called a “stunner,” is worth $17 a share.

The companies have yet to sign an agreement.

Los Angeles -- Samuels & Co. Inc. said it has recently completed five transactions for Merlin Entertainments Group, the second largest location-based entertainment company in the world which develops, owns and operates outdoor theme parks and indoor attractions.  

SAN FRANCISCO — The rising cost of goods and a challenging economic environment took its toll on Gap Inc.'s first-quarter sales and earnings. Gap Inc. reported that net income for the first quarter decreased 23% to $233 million compared with $302 million for the first quarter last year. First quarter diluted earnings per share was 40 cents.  

Indianapolis -- Simon Property Group Inc. announced that its Premium Outlets division has reached an agreement with the Gila River Indian Community's Wild Horse Pass Development Authority to develop Phoenix Premium Outlets, an upscale outlet shopping center serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale areas.