International Business

San Francisco -- Williams-Sonoma announced the hiring of Ronald R. Young as senior VP global. Young will grow the portfolio of Williams-Sonoma brands outside the United States.

Seven hundred and fifty tons of plastic wrap — the equivalent of 1.5 million pounds — have been saved by Walmart China as a result of a simple change to warehouse operations.

The plastic savings were realized after Walmart developed a new system that involved reusable canvas belts to secure merchandise on pallets, thereby eliminating the need for one-time use plastic wrap. The canvas belt system is now in use at nine of Walmart’s distribution centers in China.

Loblaw’s board of directors has named executive chairman Galen G. Weston as president, effective immediately. Thomas O'Neill, lead independent director, confirmed the appointment as part of a series of management changes at the company.

As executive chairman, Weston is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the company and leading the board. In assuming the role of president, Weston will also be responsible for the execution of the company's strategy, leadership of the management team and its overall business performance.

New York -- Fast-fashion giant H&M on Thursday celebrated the opening of its flagship on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. At 57,000 sq. ft., it is the retailer’s largest store in the world and 13th location in Manhattan. It also is the first H&M in the United States to offer a full concierge service, and to carry the full H&M Home collection.

Atlanta - IDology, a provider of identity and age verification solutions, has released ExpectID Global GeoTrace, a new anti-fraud tool designed to help identify and eliminate location-based fraud. In addition, IDology has expanded its global identity verification solution, ExpectID Global, to now include coverage for Mexico.

San Francisco – Pottery Barn and Pottery Barn Kids opened stores Tuesday, July 15 at Central Square, Bonifacio High Street, a premier retail destination in Manila, Philippines. As part of parent company William-Sonoma Inc.’s strategic global expansion, these stores are the first Pottery Barn and Pottery Barn Kids locations in Southeast Asia.

The board of directors at the Sherwin-Williams Company elected Matthew Thornton III as its newest member.

Effective July 16, Thornton will join the board as its tenth director, as well as a member of its audit committee.