International Business

LOS ANGELES — Global lifestyle brand Guess? has appointed Michael Relich as the company’s chief operating officer. As part of the brand’s executive leadership team, Relich will report to co-founder and CEO Paul Marciano.

Relich spent nine years as the brand’s chief information officer. Relich has had increasing global responsibilities, leading a number of areas, including IT, distribution/logistics, e-commerce and strategic planning.  

Epicor Software Corporation, a business software developer, has entered into a partnership with CyberM Information Technology Limited to resell Epicor retail technology solutions and provide in-country implementation and support services within the Asia Pacific region. 

Under the terms of the agreement, CyberM will provide sales, services and support to assist local retailers and meet the globalization requirements of multinational retailers looking to expand into APAC.

NEW YORK — Canadian shoppers aren’t wowed by Target Corp., according to a customer-satisfaction rating survey by Forum Research. As reported in The Globe and Mail, the survey ranked Target at the bottom of a list of major retailers operating in Canada. (Satisfaction as measured by the survey relates to service, prices and/or merchandise offering.)

Over all, Target scored a mean 2.7 out of 4, compared with Costco’s 3.5, Wal-Mart’s 3.1 and a 3.2 average.

Minneapolis -- Target announced plans to open a store in King of Prussia, Pa., in July 2014. 

The new store, located on West DeKalb Pike, will be part of the Valley Forge Shopping Center. This will be the first Target store in the city of King of Prussia.

“Pennsylvania continues to be a strong market for Target, and we’re eager to expand our presence in the state this year,” said Samir Shah, Target’s senior VP of stores, Northeast. 

ROCKFORD, Mich. — Wolverine Worldwide has appointed Jodi K. Watson as president of consumer direct, reporting to chairman, CEO and president Blake W. Krueger.  

In her new role, Watson will be responsible for direct-to-consumer operations for the company, including stores and e-commerce.

Watson was most recently the company’s VP of e-commerce, leading Wolverine's global digital strategy. She has served on its retail leadership team since joining the company in 2009.

NEW YORK — Sequential Brands Group, the parent company of Heelys wheeled footwear, plans to overhaul the footwear collection and expand into new product categories, including backpacks and other back-to-school accessories.

New York -- Tiffany & Co. today released its annual Corporate Responsibility Report, which affirms what the retailer says are efforts to positively improve the entire jewelry supply chain. This includes promoting responsible mining standards and increasing awareness about critical issues affecting the industry, such as the environmental concerns surrounding the development of the proposed Pebble Mine in Bristol Bay, Alaska.

While second quarter sales were less than expected, one area where Walmart exceeded plan was expenses incurred related to Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and compliance matters.

The company said it spent $82 million on efforts in those areas compared to the $65 million to $70 million it though it would spend at the start of the year. Expenses during the first half of the year totaled $155 million.

LAS VEGAS — SMTP, Inc., a global provider of email delivery services, has appointed Jon Strimling as CEO of the company.

"Jon is a proven executive and entrepreneur, with a track record of driving revenue and earnings growth," stated Semyon Dukach, chairman of SMTP. "His deep experience in operations, marketing and e-commerce will prove invaluable as he leads SMTP through its next phase of growth."

PITTSBURGH — The PNC Financial Services Group has appointed Andrew Feldstein to its board of directors. Feldstein is co-founder, CEO and chief investment officer of BlueMountain Capital Management, LLC.

"Mr. Feldstein brings a reputation for innovation and additional risk management expertise to the board," said PNC executive chairman James E. Rohr. "His vision and experience should benefit PNC as we seek to grow our business and further strengthen our balance sheet."