International Business

When Target pulled out of Canada, it was widely expected that Walmart would snap up some of Target's locations. But Walmart has decided to acquire only 13 stores, in a deal worth $136 million.

Walmart announced it has reached agreements to acquire one distribution center, 12 store leases and one owned property in Canada. The retailer says it expects to invest another $153 million to renovate the 13 stores and distribution center, bringing Walmart’s total investment to approximately $289 million.

Mississauga, Ontario - Walmart Canada has reached agreements to acquire one distribution center, 12 store leases and one owned property formerly held by Target Canada, for an aggregate of approximately $165 million Canadian ($136.3 million).
 

New York -- Alibaba Group Holding Limited on Thursday announced that its CEO, Jonathan Lu, will step down and will be replaced by COO Daniel Zhang, effective May 10. Lu will remain on the company's board as vice chairman.

H&M is making a big statement in Manhattan.

The Swedish fast fashion retailer will open its largest store in the world, in Manhattan’s Herald Center, on May 20.

New York -- H&M will open its largest store in the world, in Manhattan’s Herald Center, on May 20. The 63,000-sq.-ft. store, located at the southwest corner of 34th Street where Broadway and Avenue of the Americas converge, will be the fast-fashion giant’s 13th location in Manhattan. To celebrate opening day, music superstar John Legend will perform and cut the ribbon and twenty lucky winners will be chosen at random for a meet and greet.

Toronto -- Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th has announced its first three store locations in Canada as it prepares to enter the Canadian marketplace next year.

The retailer will open stores in Tanger Outlets, Kanata (a suburb of Ottawa); Outlet Collection at Niagara, Niagara-on-the-Lake; and Vaughan Mills, Vaughan (just north of Toronto) in spring 2016. The three stores are the first of up to 25 locations that Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th plans to open nationwide.

Global Brands Group named former Ann Taylor and May Company executive Adrienne Lazarus as CEO of The Frye Company, one of the holding company’s premier controlled brands and what Lazarus contends could become an American global lifestyle brand.

The company said the appointment of a veteran retailer such as Lazarus reflects a strategic focus on the 150 year old brand.

Merriam, Kansas -- Ikea announced it had officially plugged-in Kansas’ largest rooftop solar array, atop its recently opened store in Merriam. The 92,000-sq.-ft. solar array consists of a 730.17-kW DC system, comprised of 2,394 panels, and will produce approximately 986,800 kWh of electricity annually for the store, the equivalent of reducing 680 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2).