News

SALT LAKE CITY — Former KPMG technology consultant Bhargav Shah is Overstock.com’s new SVP of technology. Shah replaces Sam Peterson, who will remain with the company for a transition period.

Shah will spearhead development as well as the implementation of information technology initiatives within the organization. He will also influence business strategy through innovative use of technology.

CHESAPEAKE, Va. — Dollar Tree intends to expand its 603,000-sq.-ft. distribution center in Marietta, Oklahoma by an additional 400,000 sq. ft.

The leading operator of discount variety stores in North America which sells everything for no more than $1 will create more than 100 new full-time positions as a result of the expansion.

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. — Dole’s entry into the annual New Year’s Day Rose Parade took home the top prize for the third consecutive year.

Dole’s float, called “Dreaming of Paradise,” received the parade’s Sweepstakes Trophy, the highest honor given for the float deemed to be the most beautiful entry.

SEATTLE — Amazon contends that 2012 was a record-breaking holiday season for businesses selling on its popular online Webstore platform.

Amazon reports that more than two million third-party sellers worldwide experienced record holiday growth, and unit growth solely from sellers in the U.S. increased more than 40% year-over-year. For the year, sellers on Amazon sold hundreds of millions of units worth tens of billions of dollars worldwide, according to the company, which did not provide an actual sales figure.

CINCINNATI — Bounty touted the absorbency and strength of each small sheet of Select-A-Size paper towels at the 2013 Rose Bowl Game’s VIP Tailgate.

Michael Francis is among 10 top executives Advertising Age has singled out on a list of movers and shakers for 2013.

NEW YORK — ESL Investments has appointed G. Mike Mikan as its new president. Mikan will report to Edward S. Lampert, founder, chairman and CEO of ESL Investments.

Mikan held various executive positions throughout a 14-year period at UnitedHealth Group, including serving as EVP and CFO, as well as CEO of its Optum subsidiary. Mikan has served on the board of directors of Best Buy Co. since 2008. He was appointed Best Buy’s interim chief executive in April 2012, and served until September 2012.

An annual holiday e-retail satisfaction report produced by analytic's firm ForeSee showed considerable improvement at Target this year following a challenging 2011.

Amazon.com, LLBean.com and QVC.com were the top three retailers on ForeSee’s Annual Holiday E-Retail Satisfaction survey while Target was in the upper one third of companies analyzed.

After year of record online sales it’s not surprising that returns are also forecast to hit new highs, especially this week.

SEATTLE — Nordstrom plans to open another new Rack store this spring in Maine as the number of off price locations now exceeds the company’s full price stores.

The approximately 30,000-sq.-ft. store at Maine Crossing Shopping Center will be its first location in the state, and is scheduled to open this spring.