News

By Merrick Theobald, [email protected]

DALLAS and ATLANTA — The Home Depot bolstered its home improvement selection with the acquisition of U.S. Home Systems, a manufacturer of kitchen, bathroom and other remodeling products, as well as storage organization systems for closets and garages. Currently, USHS serves as the exclusive provider of kitchen and bath refacing products and services as well as closet and garage organizational systems to The Home Depot.

Boca Raton, Fla. -- Office Depot reported Tuesday that it lost $64.3 million in the second quarter, widened from a $29.3 million loss in the same period last year.

Weakened sales in North America and Europe, along with a $23.9 million impairment charge and other restructuring charges, contributed to the weakened performance.

Revenue dropped 7% to $2.51 billion, compared with $2.71 in the year-ago period and missing analysts’ expected $2.6 billion in revenue. Sales in North America fell 8%, and same-store sales dropped 4%.

Westlake, Ohio -- Truck-stop operator TravelCenters of America reported Tuesday that net income for the second quarter leaped 37% to $29.9 million, from $21.8 million in the year-ago period.

Revenue dipped nearly 3% to $2.04 billion from $2.09 billion.

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. — The Hillshire Brands Company announced that Sean Reid will become chief customer officer, effective Aug. 20. Reid will lead the external selling organization and build sustainable strategic relationships and strategies across all consumer-facing channels including Wal-Mart, Kroger, Costco and development networks. He will report to Sean Connolly, CEO.

Bentonville, Ark. -- The Walmart Foundation announced Tuesday the launch of its Partnership for Women’s Prosperity, a move to help economically vulnerable women gain financial and economic security through education, job training and employment opportunities.

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Despite reporting a wider net loss and sales declines for its second quarter of 2012, Office Depot remains confident in its key goals.

HONG KONG — Esprit Holdings Limited has appointed Jose Manuel Martínez Gutiérrez as its new Group CEO and executive director, effective on or before the end of September.