News

FORT WORTH, Texas — RadioShack announced that preliminary net sales and operating revenues for the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, 2011 increased approximately 6% to $1.39 billion compared with $1.31 billion for the fourth quarter last year. Comparable-store sales for company-operated stores increased approximately 2% during the 2011 fourth quarter.

The company said it expects diluted earnings per share for the 2011 fourth quarter to be in the range of 11 cents to 13 cents, compared with 51 cents per diluted share reported in the 2010 fourth quarter.

Washington, D.C. -- The International Council of Shopping Centers announced Tuesday the launch of a new website devoted to sales tax fairness and how the current sales tax system is unable to support the 21st Century retail marketplace.

The site, 21stcenturyretail.org, will be continuously updated to provide the public, stakeholders, the media and lawmakers with information on the online sales tax loophole and resources to help level the playing field for all retailers, according to ICSC.

Framingham, Mass. -- The TJX Cos. announced Tuesday that Scott Goldenberg has been promoted to CFO, retaining his executive VP title, effective immediately.

Goldenberg will oversee corporate finance for TJX and continue to report to Jeffrey Naylor, who had resumed the CFO position in 2009. Naylor will continue as senior executive VP, chief administrative officer and also have responsibility for other corporate functions, including information technology, legal, risk management and investor relations.

CUPERTINO, Calif. — Apple Monday named a replacement for former retail head Ron Johnson, who left the company last year to become CEO of JCPenney. The company announced that John Browett will join the company as SVP retail, reporting to Apple CEO Tim Cook. Browett comes to Apple from European technology retailer Dixons Retail, where he has been CEO since 2007. Beginning in April, he will be responsible for Apple’s retail strategy and the continued expansion of Apple retail stores around the world, the company said in a press release.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Monday evening named 25-year veteran Robyn Peters group VP of managed market sales, where she will lead all sales and account management activities in the company’s employer, health systems, health plans, government and small and individual payer segments, along with client retention, expansion programs and sales operations for Walgreens. Peters will report to Jeff Berkowitz, Walgreens SVP pharmaceutical development and market access.

By Paul Cook, [email protected]

San Francisco -- Digital shopping solution-provider Fluid Inc. said Tuesday that it has been selected by Brooks Brothers to leverage Fluid Configure, its product customization platform, to offer its online shoppers custom-tailored shirts and suits.

Brooks Brothers will leverage the technology to create a personalized and engaging shopping experience that will enable customers to tailor product to their exact fit and style preferences.

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. — Ahead of the toy industry's annual convention this February, The NPD Group has reported that U.S. retail sales of toys generated $21.18 billion in 2011 compared with $21.68 billion in 2010, a decline of 2%.