Also

* Dell Inc. selected a 189-acre site in Winston-Salem, N.C., for a new computer plant that state officials expect will create thousands of jobs.

* J.C. Penney Co. said Allen Questrom retired from the company, three weeks after being replaced by Myron Ullman as chairman and chief executive. When the company announced the management change in October, Questrom said he would stay on as long as necessary to help with the transition.

* General Motors Corp. said it planned to begin another round of early retirement offers and buyout packages to U.S. salaried workers early next year.

* Robertshaw Controls Co. of Long Beach is recalling about 425,000 gas control valves used in appliances, heaters and fireplaces amid reports that flash fires burned several people after valves stuck in the open position.

* Kmart Holding Corp. will no longer have exclusive rights to sell Sesame Street’s children’s clothing beginning in July, the company and the nonprofit Sesame Workshop said.