International Business

Walmart is stepping up investments related to the “connected customer,” efforts that will drive strong e-commerce growth for the next fiscal year.

Ross Stores has spent the fall in growth mode.

Retailers across the globe are committed to protecting their customers’ personal data — and now they are one step closer to that end.

Emerging economies continue to drive global digital payment transactions — and momentum shows no signs of slowing.

Updates on the very latest legislative developments affecting retail, including wages, health care, taxes, security, and more.

At a time when most private equity firms are growing increasingly cautious about investing in retail, one firm is going against the grain.   Sycamore Partners is raising its biggest-ever fund, which it will use to invest primarily in retail, CNBC reported. The firm is looking to raise between $3 billion and $4 billion, according to the report.    The news comes a month after Sycamore closed on its $6.9 billion acquisition of Staples, which it is splitting into three parts.  

Costco Wholesale Club reported better-than-expected profit and revenue for its fourth quarter.   Net sales for the 17-week fourth quarter ended Sept. 3 rose 15.8% to $41.36 billion from $35.73 billion in year-ago period, which had 16 weeks. Total same-store sales rose 6.1%, with a 6.5% increase in the U.S. and a 4.9% increase in Canada. International same-store sales rose 5.6%    E-commerce sales in the quarter were up 21%. Membership fees rose 13% to $943 million.   

Suistudio specializes in suits — but it's not dressing men.    Based in the Netherlands, the online women's apparel retailer is set to open its first U.S. store at the end of October, in New York City. The merchandise mix will emphasize no-fuss silhouettes that promise an "impeccable" fit and put a modern twist on the notion of power suiting — with in-store, while-you-wait tailoring available. In addition to suits, the mix includes shirts, dresses, and evening wear.   

Is Amazon looking for a supermarket partner in Europe?   Privately held French supermarket operator Leclerc has been approached by Amazon over possible logistics partnerships, reported Reuters.    “Yes, we have been approached by Amazon,” Michel-Edouard Leclerc, who heads the company, told Reuters.   

The European Union has hit Amazon with a tax bill.    The online giant was ordered to pay 250 million euros ($294 million) plus interest in back taxes to Luxembourg on Wednesday after the European Commission said the retailer had received illegal tax benefits.   "Luxembourg gave illegal tax benefits to Amazon. As a result, almost three quarters of Amazon's profits were not taxed," Margrethe Vestager, the EU's commissioner for competition, said in a statement.