International Business

Toronto  - Hudson’s Bay Co. has named Gerald Storch, the former CEO of Toys “R” Us, as its new CEO, effective January 6.  An industry veteran with over 30 years of experience, Storch oversaw the expansion of Toys “R” Us online and international business. Prior to joining the toy giant, he was vice-chairman of  Target Corp., where he founded target.com, and ran the chain’s grocery business.  

Fast-growing payments startup Adyen has secured $250 million from investors who have valued the Amsterdam-based startup at $1.5 billion.

Adyen serves as a middleman for Facebook, Spotify, Airbnb and other merchants, enabling them to accept Visa, MasterCard and soon bitcoin in nearly 200 currencies worldwide.

The eight-year-old company allows merchants to accept payments on the Web, mobile and more recently at individual points of sale.

CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. - Ikea hasa proposed plans for a possible store in the city of Memphis, Tennessee that could increase the Swedish retailer’s presence in the Southeastern United States as its first store in the state.    The potential store could open as early as fall 2016 and is contingent upon receiving all governmental approvals.  

Brisbane, Calif. - bebe stores announded that Jim Wiggett has been named CEO and appointed to the company’s board of directors, effective immediately. He has been serving as interim chief executive since June 2014.  

West Chester, Penn. – QVC has named Mathias Bork to the position of CEO of QVC Germany, effective Jan. 1, 2015. Bork will be responsible for overseeing QVC's operations and growth in the Germany market.   Bork succeeds Steve Hofmann, CEO of QVC Europe, who has held the role of interim CEO of QVC Germany since the end of 2013. Bork will continue to report to Hofmann.   

Brisbane, Calif. – Bebe Stores Inc. has named Jim Wiggett, who has been serving as interim CEO since June 2014, as permanent CEO and member of the board of directors. Wiggett is a 40-year retail and business veteran.  

Wayne, N.J. – Toys ‘R Us Inc. shrunk its net loss to $213 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2014 from $605 million in the year ago, helped by expense controls and a less intense promotional enviroment.  The retailer, however, did not provide an outlook for its holiday performance.  

Former Procter & Gamble group president Jorge Mesquita has been hired by Johnson & Johnson as worldwide chairman of its consumer companies. 

Mesquita, 53, will serve on the corporation’s management committee, lead the consumer group operating committee and report to Sandi Peterson, group worldwide chairman.