Sales & Marketing

LAS VEGAS — Kodak will debut its latest products, including two new cameras, at the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, despite rumors that the company will be seeking bankruptcy protection.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Catalina Marketing has named John Miles as its new EVP and CIO. As Catalina’s EV{ and CIO, Miles will be responsible for leading IT strategy, research and development and new product development.

Since 2009, Miles served as a senior member of the Dell leadership team and CIO for its global commercial and consumer businesses. He has also held senior executive and technology positions with Lowe’s and Lend Lease Inc., as well as consulting positions at Arthur Anderson and Booz Allen Hamilton.

Minneapolis -- Christopher & Banks Corp. announced that its board of directors approved a change in the company’s fiscal year-end to the Saturday nearest to the end of January, rather than the Saturday nearest to the end of February.

The retailer said the change, which is effective for the company’s current fiscal year, will provide certain benefits, including aligning its reporting periods to be more consistent with that of other specialty retail companies.
 

River Grove, Ill. -- Chuck Follett, president and CEO of Follett Corp., announced his decision to retire after 38 years of service with the company. Follett is the leading operator of college bookstores, and also a major distributor of physical and digital educational materials and services to primary, secondary and university level institutions.

Follett’s board of directors has initiated a search for Follett's successor. Follett will remain the company's president and CEO until a successor is identified.

GRAPEVINE, Texas — GameStop reported that total sales for the nine-week holiday period ended Dec. 31 were $3.03 billion, up slightly from 2010, thanks to strong sales in new video game software.

Minneapolis -- Best Buy Co. reported Friday that December sales were less than the company anticipated, as fewer-than-expected shoppers filled the retailer’s stores over the holiday selling month.

Same-store sales fell 1.2% in December, an improvement from the 4% drop in the same period last year.  Total revenue was flat at $8.4 billion. Its online division shone, recording a 26% rise in revenue for the month.

Despite the lackluster showing in December, Best Buy reaffirmed its annual guidance.

Chicago -- Claire’s Stores announced that Eugene S. Kahn has resigned. Kahn has served in the position since the company went private in 2007 in a $3.1 billion takeover by private-equity firm Apollo Management LP.

While the board will conduct a search for internal and external candidates, Claire's Stores President James G. Conroy and Jay Friedman, president of Claire's North American Division, will immediately form an interim office of the CEO.

PHOENIX — PetSmart CEO Robert Moran has taken on the additional role of chairman of the board, the company announced Friday. Moran has been the company's president and CEO since 2009, and served as president and COO from 2001 to 2009. Phil Francis, previously executive chairman, will remain a member of the board.