International Business

Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th is opening three stores on Sept. 1, two north of the border.   The retailer is set to open its first-ever locations in Canada’s Alberta province, a 31,900-sq.-ft. store at South Edmonton Common, Edmonton, and a 30,000-sq.-ft. store at CrossIron Mills, Rocky View.   In addition, the off-pricer is opening a 23,000-sq.-ft. store at El Paseo Square, Palm Desert, California, also on Sept. 1.    

On the heels of the biggest deal in its history, Canada’s Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. has entered into yet another deal to expand its U.S. footprint.   The retailer has signed an agreement to buy 53 stores in Louisiana, primarily in the Baton Rouge market, from American General Investments and North American Financial Group for an undisclosed price.    

Toys "R" Us announced the appointment of Melanie Teed-Murch as president, Toys "R" Us, Canada, effective Sept. 1.       Teed-Murch joined the retailer in 1996 as a store manager for Toys "R" Us in Kitchener, Ontario. She went on to hold a variety of senior leadership, merchandising and operational roles with increasing responsibility, including her most recent position as Canada's chief merchant.  

Ikea is expanding its renewable energy commitment with state-of-the-art fuel cell technology.

Based on the success of a pilot installation, the Swedish home furnishings retailer plans to install biogas-powered fuel cell systems at four stores in California.

A year ago, Ikea completed installation of a similar project at its location in Emeryville, Calif., one of the company’s two San Francisco-area stores.

Shoppers in select foreign markets have a new way to purchase goods from Abercrombie & Fitch.   The retailer on Wednesday announced a wholesale agreement with Zalando SE, a Germany-based online retailer that carries more than 150,000 styles from some 1,500 brands for women, men and kids and counts more than 18 million active customers. Beginning this week, Zalando will start selling Abercrombie & Fitch, Hollister and abercrombie kids products through its online stores in the 15 European markets it serves.   

Sears is piloting a concept that could breathe new life into its apparel offerings.    

Mike McNamara, a former executive at British retailer Tesco PLC, joined Target as CIO last summer, moving from London to Minneapolis.   In a Q&A on Target’s website, McNamara discusses highlights of his first year with the discounter and priorities going forward. He also spoke about Target’s tech hiring boom.    

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. is expanding its U.S. portfolio yet again.   In its biggest acquisition to date, the Canadian convenience store retailer has agreed to buy CST Brands Inc. for $48.53 per share in cash, with the total deal valued at $4.4 billion, including debt.   Couche-Tard operates more than 12,000 locations globally under several brands, including Circle K. Last year, Couche-Tard acquired The Pantry for about $1.7 billion, including debt, adding more than 1,500 stores to its U.S. footprint.