International Business

San Jose, Calif. – PayPal Holdings Inc. is still not officially an independent company, but is getting some serious respect from the investment world.

Once PayPal splits from parent company eBay and starts trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market under “PYPL” (expected July 17), it will be listed on several prominent stock indices.

Walmart's Asian business is regrouping after the founders of the retailer's e-commerce arm in China, Yihaodian, have left the company, according to Bloomberg.

The news service reported the company confirmed Wednesday that Yu Gang, Yihaodian’s chairman, and Liu Junling, the CEO, left to start a new venture.

Guess, operator of more than 800 stores worldwide, has appointed a fast fashion veteran as executive chairman. 

Scottsdale, Ariz. - Cold Stone Creamery is planning to heat up the ice cream market in the Indian subcontinent. The retailer is entering India and Sri Lanka.

Kahala Brands, the parent company of the Cold Stone Creamery brand, is partnering with Tablez Food Company, part of Lulu Group International LLC, to open 40 stores in India and five stores in Sri Lanka during the next five years. The first store will open by the end of the year at the Lulu Mall in Kochi, India.

New York -- Starbucks Corp. is expanding its already extensive global footprint.

The chain announced it will open its first stores in South Africa next year in a partnership deal with South African management group Taste Holdings. The initial store is scheduled to open in Johannesburg during the first half of 2016.

Los Angeles -- The chief executive of Guess is stepping down.

Guess co-founder Paul Marciano announced that he will be succeeded as CEO of the apparel maker by former Inditex executive Victor Herrero in August. Marciano will continue to serve as chief creative officer, and will also replace Maurice Marciano as executive chairman.

Herrero, a 12-year Inditex veteran, served as head of Asia Pacific for the apparel conglomerate, whose brands include Zara. He is credited with building the company's multi-million dollar Asian business.

Oak Brook, Ill. - Retail Properties of America Inc. (RPAI) is shuffling some executives as part of a strategic realignment of its operating platform geographically between the eastern and western regions of the country. Timothy Steffan, former senior VP, asset management and commercial leasing for Macerich's eastern region, has joined RPAI as divisional president – eastern region.

Aliso Viejo, Calif. - Johnny Rockets is partnering with foodservice consulting group EMPAD to support purchasing and distribution for the brand's U.S. restaurants. As part of the relationship, EMPAD will assist Johnny Rockets with distributor pricing verification, analysis, sourcing and more to improve the supply chain process for the brand's franchise and corporate-owned restaurants.