International Business

Photo: Doug McMillon, president and CEO, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

A modest increase in fourth quarter same store sales at Walmart’s U.S. stores marked a sixth consecutive period of growth and helped the company exceed analysts’ profit targets, but a reduced 2016 sales outlook caught some investors by surprise.

Market uncertainty around the world is taking a toll on retail CFOs confidence in the future.

That’s according to a new BDO U.S.A. survey in which retail CFOs predict a 3.4% increase in total sales for 2016. It’s the second consecutive year that the total store sales projection has dipped since the spike to 5.1% in 2014.

In addition, a notable decline in the number of CFOs expecting consumer confidence to increase this year was also revealed, which dropped nearly 50% year over year.

Saks Fifth Avenue revealed additional details about its entry into the Canadian market.

The company will open its first-ever store up north, at CF Toronto Eaton Centre, on February 18, 2016, followed by a second location, at CF Sherway Gardens, on February 25. Both centers are in Toronto.

DSW is expanding its e-commerce capabilities with a deal to acquire Ebuys Inc., an online off-price footwear retailer with a presence in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia.

DSW announced that the purchase price includes an upfront payment of $62.5 million as well as future payments contingent on the performance of Ebuys, Inc. The deal is expected to close within the next 30 days.

Cincinnati -- Phillips Edison & Company it has appointed Theresa (“Terry”) Shea as VP, assistant general counsel. In her new role, Shea will work closely with the general counsel to provide legal advice to the Company concerning all aspects of its business.

Nordstrom continues to expand north of the border.

The retailer announced that its Nordstrom Rack off-price division will open its first Canadian location, in Toronto, in 2018.

The 38,600-sq.-ft. store will be located at One Bloor in Yorkville, on the southeast corner of Yonge Street and Bloor Street, a well-known shopping district in Toronto. It will be approximately one mile north of the Nordstrom full-line store, which is scheduled to open in September 2016 at CF Eaton Centre.

Build-A-Bear Workshop on Tuesday said it will continue to diversify its store portfolio — including the opening of a branded experience on a cruise ship — as the chain announced disappointing results for its fourth quarter.

The retailer reported a better-than-expected profit of $20.6 million for the quarter, ended January 3, 2016, compared to net income of $11.8 million in the year ago period.