Finance & Capital Management

New York -- E-commerce company Birchbox, provide subscribers with monthly boxes of personalized beauty products for a monthly fee, announced Monday that it has raised $60 million of Series B funding from a group led by Greenwich, Conn.-based Viking Global Investors, Crain’s New York reported.

Birchbox, which is set to open its first physical store this spring, now has more than 800,000 subscribers receiving 6,500 different products from 800 brand partners.

Most U.S. retailers make their first international foray in contiguous markets such as Canada or Mexico for obvious reasons. However, for those interested in massive growth potential who have a long term perspective a more exotic market beckons.

Denver -- Chipotle Mexican Grill said it will hike prices for the first time in three years, saying that customer loyalty will insulate the chain from pricing fallout.

New menu boards reflecting the 3%-5% higher prices will be in place at all restaurants by this summer, said Chipotle.

Tractor Supply this week promoted Lee Downing to EVP, store operations. In conjunction with his promotion, Downing will assume added leadership responsibilities for the company's real estate team.

Downing will also be responsible for the strategic new store site selection, facilitation of store openings and ongoing maintenance, in addition to other real estate functions. He joined Tractor Supply October 2010 as SVP, store operations.

Mall-based specialty retailer Express opened its first outlet store at a Tanger outlet mall near Washington, D.C., and has plans for 30 more locations this year.

The operator of 630 predominantly mall-based stores had previously shunned outlet locations, but now views the popular venues as a growth opportunity.

Seattle -- Nordstrom announced plans to relocate its full-line Westfield University Towne Center (UTC) department store in San Diego to a new space within the evolving mall.

The new two-level, 145,000-sq.-ft. Nordstrom store will open in 2017 as part of Westfield UTC’s resort-inspired redevelopment, which is adding specialty shops, restaurants, entertainment, sustainable design features and family-friendly amenities, as well as structured parking.

Foot Locker has named Sheilagh M. Clarke as SVP, general counsel and secretary, effective June 1. She succeeds Gary M. Bahler, who is retiring on that date.

Clarke is currently VP, associate general counsel and assistant secretary of Foot Locker. She joined Foot Locker in 1988, and since that time has held a number of positions in the company's legal department. She is a graduate of Monmouth University and Seton Hall Law School.

Bahler, who joined the company in 1980, has been a SVP since 1998, general counsel since 1993, and secretary since 1990.

New York -- Specialty fashion retailer Express has entered the booming outlet mall sector, opening its first-ever outlet store, at Tanger Outlets National Harbor center in Washington, D.C. The retailer plans to open approximately 30 additional factory outlet locations throughout the United States in 2014, targeting such top markets as Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Las Vegas, New York and other top markets.