As Best Buy prepares to open stores in Europe, Turkey and Mexico, the company disclosed in SEC documents last week that its chief operating officer for Best Buy International is stepping down, Finance & Commerce and the Business Journal report. Kevin Layden's last day will be Friday. The Richfield company did not give a reason for the departure or say who would take his place.

The Market Folly blog is asking some questions about Mosaic's move to sell its stake in a Canadian nitrogen fertilizer maker. The Plymouth-based fertilizer company said last week it wants to focus on its potash and phosphates businesses. With nitrogen doing well, the Market Folly wonders "if they may be 'cashing out' at the top of the [n]itrogen trade ... This would not surprise me one bit as they have a front row seat to the whole agricultural boom we are witnessing."

Imation is docking with a small rival in its effort to expand revenue from iPod and iPhone gadgets. The Oakdale technology firm said today that it's purchased XtremeMac Accessories for $9 million. XtremeMac is based in Florida, has 29 employees and generated about $25 million in revenue last year. Imation is known for its data storage devices but recently began emphasizing iPod and iPhone accessories as a growth area.

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