International Business

Austin, Texas — Jones Lang LaSalle has announced the addition of seven brokerage experts to its national program. Austin McWilliams joined the firm as a senior VP; Travis Sawvell and Jon Switzer joined as VPs, and Katie Carlisle joined as an associate, all based in Austin. Their additions come on the heels of the firm’s newly formed Austin Retail Brokerage practice led by newcomers Todd Wallace and Robert O’Farrell.  

Johor, Malaysia — Genting Simon, a joint venture between Genting Group and Simon Property Group, has announced the opening of the second phase of Johor Premium Outlets in Johor, Malaysia.

The expansion has added 40 new stores and 100,000 sq. ft. to the center, bringing the store total to 120.

Framingham, Mass. -- Staples reported net earnings of $135.2 million for the third quarter ended Nov. 2, compared with a loss of $596.2 million a year earlier.

Sales fell to $6.11 billion from $6.35 billion as the retailer was challenged by soft demand for its products and closed stores in Europe and North America. Same-store sales in North America, excluding sales through Staples.com, fell 3%.

Cincinnati -- The Kroger Co. announced its succession plan for secretary and general counsel.

Paul W. Heldman, 62, a 31-year Kroger veteran who has been serving as the company's general counsel since 1989, secretary since 1992, and executive VP since 2006, will retire in the spring of 2014.

Atlanta -- The Home Depot reported net earnings of $1.4 billion for the third quarter of fiscal 2013, up 48% from $948 million in the same quarter of the prior fiscal year.  The retailer raised its 2013 forecast for the third time this year amid rising home prices.

"Our third quarter results reflect the continuing improvement in the housing market and our solid operational performance," said Frank Blake, chairman & CEO.

RadioShack has announced the retirement of Thomas G. Plaskett from the company's board of directors. Plaskett had served on the RadioShack board since 1986, and was a member of the audit and compliance committee as well as the corporate governance committee.

His retirement is effective immediately, and the company intends to begin a search for a new independent director to fill his board seat.

Kroger announced its succession plan for secretary and general counsel. Paul Heldman, 62, a 31-year Kroger veteran who has been serving as the company's general counsel since 1989, secretary since 1992 and EVP since 2006, plans to retire in spring of 2014.

Bentonville, Ark. – Wal-Mart Stores has reportedly tested more than 200 factories with which it does business in Bangladesh and found safety issues at 32 of them. According to Reuters, Wal-Mart sent out an email saying that 30 of those 32 factories have corrected the issues since their discovery.

Mooresville, N.C. -- Angela F. Braly, 52, has been named to the Lowe’s board of directors, with a term expiring at Lowe’s 2014 annual meeting of shareholders. This brings Lowe’s board of directors to 12 members, 11 of whom are independent.

Electrolux has named former Sears executive Nolan Pike as SVP and GM of its North American cooking business.

Pike most recently worked for Sears as their Kenmore brand VP and GM and as the top merchant for Sears Home Appliances, the nation’s largest appliance retailer. Additionally, Pike spent many years in manufacturing and led the development, launch and product management of several notable cooking lines.