International Business

It’s been quite common of late to hear retailers cite warm weather and intense competition as sources of sales weakness, but the prize for originality goes to PriceSmart after the warehouse club operator reported a January same-store sales decline.

L Brands raised its profit outlook for the year after reporting record sales in the fourth quarter.

For the fourth quarter ended Jan. 30, the company had net sales of $4.395 billion, an increase of 8% compared to $4.069 billion for the quarter ended Jan. 31, 2015. Same store sales increased 6%. Net sales for the year ended Jan. 30 were $12.154 billion, an increase of 6% compared to $11.454 billion for the year ended Jan. 31, 2015. Same store sales for the year ended Jan. 30 increased 5%.

Same-store sales at Costco were mostly flat in January across the globe, mirroring reports from other retailers reporting soft sales.

Newk’s Eatery is on track with its plans to double in size in the next three years.

The Jackson, Mississippi-based fast-casual chain entered six new markets and increased its store count by 27% in 2015, opening 20 new locations. It currently operates 96 eateries in 13 states.

Lowe's is making major moves in Canada with the $2.3 billion purchase of Rona Inc., a Canadian home improvement retailer and distributor.

Lowe's had previously made an unsolicited bid on the company more than three years ago, but the substantially higher offer this time around was accepted by Rona's board.

Kathryn Henry is back at lululemon athletica inc., in a new role as a member of the company’s board of directors, a move the company’s founder contends is an important first step to making larger changes.

Publix Super Markets has signed leases to open its first-ever stores in the state of Virginia.