International Business

Charming Charlie is expanding its Middle East footprint.

The specialty retailer has opened its first location in Qatar, at the Ezdan Mall in Doha. The 2,900-sq.-ft. store is operated by Apparel Group, Charming Charlie’s international licensing partner, which has further growth planned for the brand in the Middle East this year.

Ahold shareholders have overwhelmingly approved the company`s proposal to merge with Delhaize Group.

Ahold is buying Delhaize for $11 billion in a deal announced last year that will create one of the largest food retailers on the U.S. East Coast, as Ahold operates Stop & Shop and Delhaize operates Hannaford and Food Lion.

Less than a month after Hudson’s Bay Company brought Saks Fifth Avenue to Canadian shoppers, the company this month is opening the first of 25 planned Saks Off 5th stores.

Three new Saks Off 5th stores are scheduled to open on March 17 in Vaughan Mills, Halton Hills and Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. The openings will allow Canadians to experience the ultimate "thrill of the hunt" shopping that Saks Off 5th is renowned for, with access to the some of the best brands and fantastic finds, in a fun to shop store format,” according to the company.

The CEO of Toys “R” Us sounded an upbeat note on Thursday amid results that showed the chain cut its full-year net loss by more than half in fiscal 2015, and improved its adjusted earnings by 25%.

Target announced Wednesday its board of directors elected Monica Lozano as a new director, effective immediately. Lozano is the former CEO of ImpreMedia, one of the largest media companies serving Hispanic communities in the U.S.

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.