International Business

Flying Tiger Copenhagen is expanding its U.S. footprint.   The discounter will open a 2,100-sq.-ft. store at City Point, in downtown Brooklyn, on April 21. The Danish home retailer offers a quirky, ever-changing assortment of  product, ranging from home goods to toys to electronics and more, with many created by the company’s in-house design team in Denmark.  

West Elm is expanding in Texas.   The retailer, a division of William-Sonoma, will open its first Fort Worth location this summer. The 10,502-sq.-ft. store will be located at West 7th Fort Worth, an open-air center in the heart of the ‘Cultural District” in Fort Worth, Texas.    The West 7th development encompasses nearly five blocks of pedestrian-friendly urban elements. It is managed by Vestar.  

Walmart wants its suppliers to join the retailer to reduce greenhouse gas emissions resulting from their operations and supply chains.  

One way for U.S retail companies to win in 2017 is to look beyond their domestic borders for growth. As retail executives implement this year’s business plans, they should consider embracing cross-border e-commerce in China to grow now, and in the future.   China is the world’s largest and fastest-growing e-commerce market. Cross-border e-commerce is experiencing explosive growth due to Chinese consumers’ desire for lower prices and higher-quality products.   

Three experts have joined JLL’s brokerage team in Houston. Donna Kolius, Pierce Owens, and Kaylie Walker will be focusing on multi-market dispositions, national portfolio strategies, and sale leasebacks, which will help expand JLL’s disposition business.   

Think of it as an Airbnb for temporary spaces.    Appear Here, a British-based online marketplace for short-term retail space, has launched in the United States, with its initial expansion starting in New York City.  

Office Depot continues to make good on its promise to focus on its North American business.     The company announced it has reached an agreement to sell its business in Australia and New Zealand to Platinum Equity, a global private equity firm. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval in each country and is expected to close within the next several months.  

Orchestra is entering the United States, both online and off.    The 23-year-old French children’s and maternity fashion brand has launched its first English language website. The retailer will make its U.S. brick-and-mortar debut, opening newborn/children's clothing store at King of Prussia Mall, King of Prussia, Pa.  

The chief executive of Crate & Barrel is out after less than two years at the top.   Doug Diemoz left the home furnishings retailer last week. Most of his responsibilities will be taken over by Neela Montgomery, board chair of Otto Group, the privately owned German company that owns Crate & Barrel, according to Crain’s Chicago Business.  

Time was in New York City that new restaurants sprang up in the ground floors of old brownstones in Midtown or tenement buildings in Greewich Village and were deemed worthy or not by the demanding standards of Manhattanites. Not so in New York’s newest neighborhood.