International Business

Los Angeles -- CBRE Group, Inc. announced that Spencer Levy has been appointed Americas head of research. Levy, a seven-year veteran of CBRE, had previously served as executive managing director in the company’s Capital Markets Group. His most recent duties included oversight of CBRE Capital Market’s Corporate Advisory, Auction and Latin America operations. He also directly serves a number of major clients.  

Tiffany & Co. has named Jill Beraud as an EVP, effective Oct. 13. Beraud will be responsible for global retail operations, including all sales channels in every region, as well as oversight of strategic store development and real estate.

“We are delighted that Jill will join our management team and believe that she can further enhance our regional and global capabilities to support Tiffany’s continued sales and earnings growth,” said Michael J. Kowalski, chairman and CEO.

Issaquah, Wash. – Costco Wholesale Corp. on Thursday reported that its revenue for the fourth-quarter climbed 9% to $34.8 billion. Total same-store sales, excluding negative impacts from gasoline price deflation and foreign exchange, increased 7%.

Costco plans to open nine new warehouse stores before the end of calendar year 2014.

During the full fiscal year 2014, Costco reported a 7% jump in net sales to $110.2 million from $102.9 million. Total same-store sales rose 6%.  

Boca Raton, Fla. – Keith Sherwell, who served as CIO of Sears Holding Corp from March 2010 to June 2013, has been named CIO of the Office Depot international division, effective Sept. 15. Sherwell advised the board of OfficeMax during merger negotiations with Office Depot, and has served as a technology integration consultant to Office Depot since the completion of the merger in November 2013.

Keith Sherwell, who served as CIO of Sears Holding Corp from March 2010 to June 2013, has been named CIO of the Office Depot international division, effective Sept. 15. Sherwell advised the board of OfficeMax during merger negotiations with Office Depot, and has served as a technology integration consultant to Office Depot since the completion of the merger in November 2013.

Clearwater, Fla. - MarineMax Inc. has expanded its financing facility to provide for borrowings of up to $235 million. The expanded facility has a three-year term, expiring in August 2017, and it has two, one-year options to renew, subject to lender approval.

Naples, Fla. -- ACI Worldwide, a leading global provider of electronic payment and banking solutions, announced that Auchan Group, one of the world’s largest food retailers, has selected the company to deliver its new SEPA-compliant European card payments platform, the first of its kind in Europe.

New York -- Amazon said that senior VP and CFO Thomas J. Szkutak plans to retire in June 2015. Brian T. Olsavsky, VP finance for Amazon’s global consumer business, will succeed Szkutak. Szkutak and Olsavsky will work together during the next 10 months as part of the transition.

Szkutak joined Amazon in 2002 as CFO, and oversees the controller, treasury, investor relations, tax, internal audit and facilities functions as well as financial management of the company’s business units.