International Business

Aldi now has three co-presidents overseeing its rapidly expanding U.S. business following the promotion of Brent Laubaugh.

Laughbaugh, a 20 year veteran of the company, currently serves as VP of the Aldi division based in the Pittsburgh suburb of Saxonburgh, was named co-president of Aldi U.S. In that capacity, he joins David Behm and Chuck Youngstrom who will continue in their roles as co-presidents. All three report to Aldi CEO Jason Hart.

Fully customized pizzas tailored to each guest’s liking, served up in minutes. That’s the idea behind PizzaRev, a Los Angeles-based fast-casual pizza chain whose “build-your-own” approach is bringing food customization to a new level.

The 2,200 unit Bridgestone Retail Operations chain of automotive stores is drawing inspiration from a gold medal winning Olympic sprinter to help accelerate its performance.

New York -- Halstead Property announced the promotion of Richard J. Grossman to president. In his new role, Grossman will work closely with Halstead CEO Diane M. Ramirez and will also continue to oversee the Village and SoHo offices together with Sara Rotter, executive director of sales for Downtown.

Zara has opened an eco-friendly flagship in the heart of Manhattan’s SoHo neighborhood. It is the Spanish retailer’s eight location in Manhattan.

Walgreens Boots Alliance is exploring the possibility behind opening a retail pharmacy stake in Australia, The Sydney Morning Herald reported Friday. Though current government restrictions prevent corporate-owned pharmacies from setting up shop, that could change as "the government has commissioned an independent review of pharmacy regulations, which is due to report in March 2017," the paper reported.

Abercrombie & Fitch's efforts to attract more shoppers are paying off, as the company reported an increase in same store sales for the fourth quarter.

The teen retailer announced adjusted earnings of $1.08 a share for the period ended Jan. 30. Net sales were $1.11 billion. Same store sales jumped 1%, the first gain in overall same store sales since the third quarter ended October 29, 2011, according to Bloomberg.

American Eagle Outfitters didn’t exactly soar in the fourth quarter, but its low single-digit same-store sales increase was better than most and benefitted from recent store closures.

Total company sales increased 3% to $1.11 billion and same store sales grew 4% after a flat performance in the fourth quarter the prior year. Earnings per share increased 17% to 42 cents from the 36 cents earned from continuing operations the prior year. The company expects its first quarter same store sales to increase in the mid-single digits.

Starbucks Corp. has lost one of its veteran executives.

The coffee giant revealed in a regulatory filing that former COO Troy Alstead will not return to the company following a year-long unpaid leave. Alstead, whose resignation was effective February 29, 2016, had long been seen as the company’s number two executive and an eventual replacement to current CEO Howard Schultz.

Abercrombie & Fitch's efforts to attract more shoppers with a better store experience and updated merchandise mix are paying off as the retailer reported an unexpected increase in same-store sales and a 30% increase in profit for the fourth quarter.

Abercrombie said overall same-store sales rose 1% in the quarter ended Jan. 30, the first gain in the metric since the third quarter 2012. Analysts on average were expecting a decline of 0.10%. The gain in same-store sales was driven by a 4% increase in the Hollister division.