International Business

Seven weeks into her new role as chief operating officer of Walmart’s U.S. stores division Judith McKenna shared insights into her priorities for the retailer’s domestic business with a gathering of more than 400 suppliers Friday morning.

Hangzhou, China – Although Alibaba Holding Group Inc. reported a healthy sales increase for the third quarter of fiscal 2015, it became a victim of its own expectations as it still missed on revenue projections and also reported declining profits. Net income totaled $964 million, a 28% drop from $1.36 billion in the same quarter a year earlier.

It's time once again for confectionery and snack retailers, as well as manufacturers to come together for the Sweets & Snacks Expo, which is scheduled to be held May 19 through May 21 at Chicago's McCormick Place.

Hangzhou, China – The Chinese regulatory agency State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC) has reportedly criticized Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. for not making enough effort to prevent the sale of counterfeit items on its e-commerce platform. According to the Wall Street Journal, the SAIC issued a report starting Alibaba offers insufficient product information and does not use an effective system to rank sellers.

A bigger push to sell its offerings online helped drive record sales in 2014 for Swedish retailer Hennes & Mauritz, as well as prompt expansion plans for the retailer. 

The Stockholm-based retailer said net profit rose 17% to $760 million in 2014, ahead of analysts’ forecasts. Same store sales increased 26% in 2014, the retailer reported.

Barcelona – Spain-based apparel retailer Mango has recruited Toni Ruiz to become its new CFO effective mid-February. Ruiz, 45, will sit on Mango’s board of directors.

Ruiz has spent much of his professional career at Leroy Merlin, part of Groupe Adeo, where he has worked from 1999 until now, occupying various positions, including financial management in Spain and control and planning at international level.

As Lowe’s prepares to open its previously announced 25 new stores in Canada during the next three years, speculation is mounting that the retailer could snap up some of Target's locations when the company withdraws from the Canadian market later this year.   But Lowe's is not saying whether three new Lowe's stores set to open later this year in Lethbridge, Saskatoon and Sault Ste. Mari will be located in former Target locations.  

Toronto – Lowe’s Canada plans to open 25 new stores in Canada during the next three years. This includes three new stores set to open later this year in Lethbridge, Saskatoon and Sault Ste. Marie