International Business

It was a happy holiday season at Amazon.com where fourth quarter profits more than doubled, sales increased 22% and the company handily surpassed annual sales of $100 billion for the first time.

Amazon.com said its net sales increased 22% to $35.7 billion in the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, 2015, compared with $29.3 billion in fourth quarter 2014. With a $1.2 billion unfavorable impact from year-over-year changes in foreign exchange rates, fourth quarter sales would have increased 26%.

German discount supermarket chain Lidl has revealed where it will drop its anchor in the United States.

The retailer revealed on its website that it is seeking locations between New Jersey and Georgia. It said it is looking to build stand-alone, 36,000-sq.-ft. stores on sites that are at least 3.5 acres with a minimum of 150 parking spaces.

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. has appointed Claude Tessier as its CFO, effective Jan. 28. The leader in the Canadian convenience store industry, Couche-Tard is the largest independent convenience store operator in the United States terms of number of company-operated stores.

The industry veteran joins Couche-Tard from Canadian grocer Sobeys Inc., where he was president of the IGA Operations Business Unit.

A timely acquisition helped Coach Inc.’s post a sales gain in the second quarter — its first quarterly increase in 10 quarters.

The handbag and accessories retailer’s total sales increased 4.0% in the quarter ended December 26, to $1.27 billion, up from $1.22 billion in the year ago period.

In the name of creating a more efficient and focused organization, Staples announced several key senior leadership moves while its acquisition of rival Office Depot appears in jeopardy.

Shira Goodman, currently president, North American commercial, has been named president, North American operations with responsibility for Staples’ business-to-business, online and retail operations across the United States and Canada.

Oakbrook, Illinois -- Retail Properties of America announced that it has acquired two-properties to add to its portfolio, which include Merrifield Town Center II and Shoppes at Hagerstown, both located in the greater Washington, D.C./Baltimore area. The properties were acquired through an off-market transaction, on an unencumbered basis, for a combined purchase price of $72.7 million.

In the name of creating a more efficient and focused organization, Staples announced several key senior leadership moves while its acquisition of rival Office Depot appears in jeopardy.

Shira Goodman, currently president, North American commercial, has been named president, North American operations with responsibility for Staples’ business-to-business, online and retail operations across the United States and Canada.