International Business

Claire's Stores blamed currency exchange rates and store cloures for its decrease in revenue in the fourth quarter.

The specialty retailer said that for the period ended Jan. 30, net sales were $402.6 million, a decrease of $9.8 million, or 2.4% compared to the fiscal 2014 fourth quarter. The company said the decrease was attributable to an unfavorable foreign currency translation effect of non-U.S. net sales, the effect of store closures, decreased shipments to franchisees and a 0.2% decrease in same-store sales.

Canada's leading value chain has promoted its head merchant to be the new CEO as the company logs another quarter of impressive sales growth.

Dollarama Inc. has appointed Neil Rossy as president and CEO, effective May 1, 2016. Company founder and current CEO Larry Rossy will continue to play an active role in key areas of Dollarama's business as executive chairman.

If the major suppliers of soft goods such as clothing and accessories to retail stores are a bellwether of the economy, then the coming months are looking to provide a jolt as 75% of these suppliers expect retail sales to significantly outpace the gross domestic product for the spring and summer shopping season.

That’s one of the major findings of a new survey conducted by Capital Business Credit.

Sears Holdings announced Monday that James Andrew has joined the company in the new role of chief administrative officer. In this position he will be responsible for the company's corporate support functions, including financial planning and analysis, business finance, procurement, legal and human resources.

Persistence has paid off at Ingles Market for Jim Lanning who was elevated to the role of CEO after joining the $3.8 billion supermarket chain 41 years earlier.

Asheville, NC.-based Ingles Markets named Lanning, 56, to the role of CEO, filling a position previously held by company Chairman Robert P. Ingle, II. Lanning will retain his position as president while Ingle, 47, will continue to serve as chairman and continue his day-to-day active operational role in the executive leadership of the company, according to a statement.

Dunkin' Brands Group Inc., the parent company of Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins, has promoted five new VPs to its management team.

Sherrill Kaplan was promoted to VP, digital marketing & innovation for Dunkin' Donuts U.S. Kaplan joined Dunkin' Brands nearly five years ago and has played a lead role in the development and execution of the retailer’s digital strategy and the DD Perks rewards program.

Publix has hired a broker and is actively looking for sites in the Washington, D.C., area, according to a new report. 

The Washington Business Journal reported that the Florida-based grocery chain had a booth at the International Council of Shopping Centers’ Mid-Atlantic Dealmaking and Conference last week in Southern Maryland.  Publix spokeswoman Kim Reynolds told the publication that indeed, the chain is looking to open stores throughout Virginia, including in Northern Virginia.