Finance & Capital Management

New York - Nine West Holdings Inc. is taking ownership of its Canadian brand assets, including 45 store leases.

The company has acquired the business operations of Sherson Group Inc., which previously held the exclusive rights to the Nine West, Anne Klein and Easy Spirit brands in Canada.

Nine West intends to continue providing these brands to customers across Canada at Nine West mall-based locations and Shoe Studio outlet stores, as well as at department stores.

As the 10th anniversary of Hurrican Katrina approaches, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are making a commitment to disaster relief efforts.

Aliso Viejo, Calif. – Johnny Rockets is now focusing its global expansion efforts on developments in Southeast Asia. The casual dining chain is seeking area developers for expansion into Thailand and Vietnam.

Johnny Rockets currently operates Southeast Asian franchise stores in Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia through its 14 open restaurants and eight others in development.

Proposed changes to overtime exemptions could make store managers eligible

The Department of Labor’s long-awaited proposed revisions to the “white collar” overtime exemptions are finally here — at least, in part. On June 30, 2015, the DOL unveiled its proposed revisions to the required salary levels for many of the “white collar” exemptions to the FLSA’s overtime requirements.

Denver -- Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. is going on a hiring binge.

The chain will hold its first-ever “National Career Day,” on Sept. 9, with the goal of hiring 4,000 new employees.

In terms of employment, Chipotle is considered one of the more desirable fast-food chains, offering higher-than-average wages. In June, the company announced it planned to offer benefits previously available only to salaried workers to all employees, including full tuition reimbursements, sick pay, and paid vacation days.

Private equity firm Sycamore Partners is adding a department store to its growing portfolio, which includes such brands as Aeropostale, Jones New York and Nine West.

Vancouver, Wash. – Papa Murphy’s Holdings Inc. is setting its sights on Jacksonville, Florida. The pizza chain is opening four new franchised stores in Jacksonville on Aug. 27.

These stores will join five other Papa Murphy’s units already located in the greater Jacksonville area.
 

Charming Charlie has been on an upward trajectory for the past 10 years, and it shows no signs of stopping anytime soon. With 350 U.S. stores (plus four in Canada), the Houston-based, privately held jewelry and accessories retailer is busy expanding at home and, more recently, abroad. In June, it opened its first-ever location in New York City, a three-level, 16,000-sq.-ft.