News

New York City -- Dunkin’ Brands plans to open 500 Dunkin’ Donuts stores in India over the next 15 years through a partnership with restaurant chain operator Jubilant FoodWorks Ltd.

Dunkin’ Donuts signed a franchise agreement with Jubilant, according to a statement distributed by PR Newswire today. The first Dunkin’ Donuts shop will open early next year, and will feature the company’s signature coffee and bakery products as well as food developed specifically for the Indian market.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Friday announced that Hal Rosenbluth will retire as president of its health-and-wellness division in April, but will continue with the company as a senior consultant to the CEO for healthcare services.

Rosenbluth was a co-founder of Take Care Health Systems, which was acquired by Walgreens in 2007. Prior to that, he led Rosenbluth International, a global travel management company, which he sold to American Express in 2003.

SAN FRANCISCO -- Delivering its fourth consecutive year of double-digit earnings per share growth, Gap Inc. reported earnings per share for fiscal year 2010 increased 19% to $1.88 on a diluted basis compared with $1.58 on a diluted basis for fiscal year 2009. Net earnings grew by $102 million to $1.2 billion.

New York City -- A Thursday report by the New York Times said that teen retailer Delia’s has put itself up for sale.

According to the report, the company has been soliciting interest from buyers including private equity firms. Delia’s has not confirmed the report, and it is currently unknown what, if any, other options the retailer is considering.

Dallas -- J.C. Penney Co. said that its fourth quarter profit rose 36% to $271 million, helped by cost controls and improving sales in such areas as men's apparel, women's accessories and beauty products from in-store Sephora boutiques. The retailer also announced plans to buy back $900 million of its shares, starting next month.

Revenue in the three-month period ended Jan. 29 rose 2.8% to $5.7 billion. Same-store sales were up 4.5%.

Fourth quarter earnings per share at Target advanced 17% to $1.45 compared with $1.24 the prior year, thanks to a seven-cent-a-share tax benefit, and quarterly profits were slightly more than $1 billion compared with $936 million the prior year. Fourth-quarter sales increased 2.8% to $20.3 billion compared with $19.7 billion the prior year and were aided by a 2.4% increase in same-store sales.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Holdings Corp. reported on Wednesday that it has ended a three-year search for a permanent CEO, appointing a former technology executive with no retail experience as its new chief executive and president. The company name Lou D’Ambrosio to the position of president and CEO.

Dallas -- Zale Corp. said Thursday that net income for the quarter ended Jan. 31 surged to $27.2 million, compared with $6.7 million a year earlier.

Zale, which has struggled to regain profitability as the economy improves, posted net income of $27.2 million compared with $6.7 million, or 21 cents per share a year ago. Sales rose to $626.4 million for the quarter, from $582.3 million. Same-store sale rose 7.9%, compared with a decrease of 11.2% during the comparable period in the prior year.