Sales & Marketing

Boca Raton, Fla. -- Office Depot reported a first quarter loss of $5.4 million, down from a profit of $29.5 million in the prior-year period, amid weaker sales and a higher tax rate.

Total company sales for the quarter were $2.97 billion, down 3% from last year.

Minneapolis -- Target Corp. has joined the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) GreenChill program. The program further Target's efforts to reduce refrigeration emissions by adopting green refrigeration technologies in its stores.

New York City -- Consumer confidence recovered somewhat in April, though the impact of rising gasoline prices is still evident, according to data released Tuesday by the Conference Board.

The confidence index hit 65.4 in April, from an upwardly revised 63.8 in March. The reading is still below the 72.0 mark of February.

New York City -- The chairman and CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch Co. received a pay package worth $22.5 million, down 38% from last year, mostly because of a reduction in option awards, according to an analysis by The Associated Press.

Jeffries, 66, received a base salary of $1.5 million and a performance-based bonus of $2.3 million, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

He received option awards worth $14.1 million on the date they were granted, down 58% from the prior year.

Cincinnati -- Macy’s on Monday said it will open three Bloomingdale’s Outlet stores in the fall. The new locations will join the first four Bloomingdale’s Outlet stores opened in fall 2010 when the concept was launched.

The new Bloomingdale’s Outlet stores, which will range from 25,000 sq. ft. to 24,000 sq. ft. are scheduled to open in the following shopping centers with an upscale outlet store focus: Miromar Outlets, Estero, Fla.; Wrentham Village Premium Outlets, Wrentham, Mass.; and Woodfield Village Green, Schaumburg, Ill.

Elmsford, N.Y. -- Party City Holdings, parent company of Amscan Holdings, has filed an initial public offering of $350 million of common stock as it raises funds to pay down debt.

It intends to list under the symbol PRTY. Current stockholders are also likely to sell shares alongside Party City in the IPO.

Reflecting the brand tagline, “Never Stop Exploring,” the new global prototype of The North Face is meant to inspire customers to get outside and experience the great outdoors. Designed by Gensler, the store has a sleek, streamlined modern look and is composed of natural elements and textures. Trail markers, built of wood, stone and metal, distinguish the retailer’s core categories: outdoor, action sports and performance.

New York City -- Tesco announced that it has acquired a majority stake in video-on-demand pioneer Blinkbox. The acquisition positions Tesco for the next stage in the Internet-driven revolution in home entertainment, the retailer said.

Blinkbox is the United Kingdom’s leading movie streaming service, offering thousands of titles streamed on the Internet.

Tesco has bought an 80% stake in Blinkbox from Eden Ventures and Nordic Venture Partners.