International Business

Retailers looking for global opportunities in emerging markets should head to Asia, particularly China, according to a just-released survey.   

China ranks as the top country in A.T. Kearney’s 2016 Global Retail Development Index (GRDI), followed by India, whose high market potential, fast growth, improved regulatory environment, and ease of doing business pulled it up to second in the rankings. (See end of article for top 30 rankings.)

Nordstrom has opened its second full-line store In Toronto.   The department store retailer opened a three-level, 199,000-sq.-ft. store at Yorkdale Shopping Centre on Oct. 21. It is the company's second location in Toronto, with the first, at CF Toronto Eaton Centre, opening in September.      

Today, when it comes to adding new members to your board of directors, creating a balance between industry experience and innovation is extraordinarily important.    Filling board seats with industry veterans and compliance experts may feel comfortable in the short term. But, to adapt to today's savvy and demanding consumer, companies must be more forward thinking.  

The 27th annual Chain Store Age survey of Fastest-Growing Acquirers features some familiar names, but a diversity of philosophies and experiences when it comes to driving long-term growth.
 

Japanese specialty retailer Uniqlo has been losing money with its U.S. stores for the past five years, but is not ready to throw in the towel.

According to Reuters, Uniqlo parent Fast Retailing Co. Ltd. is making a U.S. turnaround a top priority.

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After an 18-month hiatus on expansion, Amazon.com is reportedly preparing to roll out its AmazonFresh grocery delivery service to new markets including Boston and the U.K.

According to Re/Code, Amazon had initially planned to introduce the service to U.K. customers in 2015.

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Starbucks Corp. has turned to the bond market to fund its sustainable-coffee efforts. The chain issued a $500 million U.S. corporate sustainability bond to fund projtects that will support ethical coffee sourcing. The 10-year, 2.45 percent senior notes, due 2026, will fund programs that ensure coffee is grown and distributed in a way that can be maintained over the long run, such as providing fair pay for workers and protection for wildlife.

Traditional supermarket retailers are facing competition on all fronts, from online pure players, discount grocery chains and from the extreme-value general merchandise retailers (dollar stores). While dollar stores remain a niche segment, consumables are becoming a more important part of the sector, according to a report on forbes.com.

A company that achieved global fame for its simple glazed doughnuts has been acquired by the owners of a growing coffee empire. Krispy Kreme Doughnuts has agreed to be acquired by JAB Beech Inc., a unit of German investment firm JAB Holding Company, for about $1.35 billion. The deal, which would take Krispy Kreme private, is the most recent in a string of purchases by JAB Holdings, including its acquisition in late 2015 of single-serve coffee maker Keurig Green Mountain.

Beatrice Lafon, the CEO of teen accessories retailer Claire's Stores, has resigned and been replaced by a current member of the board, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing.