Rometty, 54, is currently IBM senior vice president and group executive for sales, marketing and strategy.

FORBES: IBM Names Virginia Rometty To Succeed Palmisano As CEO

The sales-minded executive Tuesday announced he was dissolving an HP group responsible for sales to small- and medium-sized businesses to give HP's salespeople more direct customer contact, and stressed that HP would work only with partners that made it a point to champion HP products.

FORBES: Magazine Article

"This is the first time in the last 10 years I fear I am speaking to a group that knows more about my product than me, " Thierry Antinori, Lufthansa AG executive vice president of sales and marketing, told the group.

WSJ: Flying With the Ultimate Travel Junkies

Terry Duddy, chief executive of Argos' parent, Home Retail Group, said the strong sales meant the group's pre-tax profits were on course to beat forecasts.

BBC: Argos sees successful transition to click-and-collect

Group chief executive George Weston said UK trading had been "particularly strong" and European sales "buoyant".

BBC: Primark store

"After another year of substantial land investment in 2012, the group expects to deliver a strong increase in active sales outlets in 2013, " said David Ritchie, Bovis chief executive.

BBC: Mortgage market boosted by lending schemes, says Redrow