International Business

Seattle – Net earnings rose 16% to $494.9 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2015 from $427 million a year earlier at Starbucks Corp. Cost of sales grew at a slower pace than extremely strong revenue growth, which helped boost profits.

Starbucks plans to open 1,650 net new stores globally during fiscal 2015. This includes 600 new stores in the Americas, half licensed; 200 new stores in Europe/Middle East/Africa, primarily licensed; and 850 new stores in China/Asia-Pacific, primarily licensed.

West Des Moines, Iowa - WineStyles Tasting Station, a boutique wine and craft beer retail chain, is launching expansion plans to grow its national footprint. The company currently has more than 20 locations across the country, and aims to grow the business to nearly 50 stores during the next several years through franchising.

New York – During World War II, Gen. Douglas MacArthur famously said, “I shall return.” Two board members of Aeropostale Inc. are taking the opposite approach.

Robert B. Chavez has advised Aeropostale that he will not seek re-election to its board of directors in 2015 due to his responsibilities and time commitments as president and CEO of Hermes of Paris Inc. Chavez will continue to serve until the 2015 annual meeting.

The old expression, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime,” was taken to heart at Whole Foods where a recent fundraising campaign will provide loans to help people improve their lot in life.

Whole Food held concerts and craft fairs and thousands of small events that raised $4.6 million with the goal of alleviating global poverty. To achieve such a lofty mission, the retailer isn’t donating money to food banks to provide hand outs, but rather using the dollars to fund a microlending campaign.

New York -- Following its January 2015 spinoff from private-equity firm Sycamore Partners, Jones New York has been acquired by Authentic Brands Group, LLC, owner of a global portfolio of fashion, sports, media and entertainment brands.

Sycamore previously announced it would close all Jones New York retail locations and seek strategic alternatives for the beleaguered brand.

Canton, Mass. -- Dunkin’ Brands Group had a slam-dunk first quarter, with first quarter profit growth of 11.7%, a revenue increase of 8.1%, and U.S. same-store sales growth of 8% in its Baskin-Robbins unit. The Dunkin’ Donuts segment saw same-store sales climb a more modest 2.7%.

The chain added 79 net new restaurants worldwide during the quarter, which included 78 Dunkin Donuts in the U.S.

Bentonville, Ark. -- As the world’s largest retailer has been challenged to grow sales, the Wal-Mart Stores Inc. revealed in its proxy statement filed with security regulators that executive cash bonuses are now being tied to sales performance – in addition to operating income – in the fiscal year.

The TJX Cos. Inc. announced Wednesday that Chairman Bernard Cammarata will retire following the company’s annual shareholder meeting scheduled for June 11.

Suppliers to Walmart are always looking for ways to align themselves with the retailer and develop strategies that drive sales. Nothing could be more instructive on that front than 2015 version of a Global Responsibility Report, which reveals the company’s extensive social and environmental commitments and accomplishments.

The eighth annual edition of the document was released this week in conjunction with other material related to the company June 5 shareholders meeting.

Amazon.com’s sales growth in the first quarter continued to outpace the overall e-commerce growth rate, especially Web services, but expenses related to interest and currency exchange caused the online leader to report a $57 million net loss.

Total sales for the quarter ended March 31 increased 15% to $22.72 billion but a strengthening of the U.S. Dollar caused a $1.3 billion currency exchange headwind. On a constant currency basis, which is how global retailers like to analyze their business, sales increased 22%.