International Business

SAN FRANCISCO — The Gymboree Corporation has appointed former Levi Strauss & Co. executive Joelle Maher as the company's new COO.  

At Levi Strauss & Co., Maher was most recently EVP, president global retail, and prior to that SVP of Americas multi-channel retail, and VP, planning, allocation, stores, store operations and outlet. She also held executive leadership positions at Lucky Brand Jeans, Old Navy and Macy's East.

GENEVA & LONDON — P&G Prestige has entered into a licensing agreement with Alexander McQueen to manufacture and sell designer fragrance products under the Alexander McQueen brand name.

Amazon.com and Walmart.com both sell products online, but that’s where the similarities end despite frequent efforts to compare the two.

With an ongoing investigation into alleged violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the last thing Walmart would want to do is enter a market like Russia. Nevertheless, a Bloomberg report this week linked the company to a retailer few Americans have ever hear of.

Los Angeles -- PizzaRev, the fast-casual artisan pizza concept, will build a flagship location in Burbank’s shopping and entertainment district at the intersection of E. Palm Ave. & N. San Fernando Blvd.

The company has announced plans to add two new locations in Oxnard and El Segundo, Calif. this summer and to begin franchising soon. PizzaRev currently operates three locations in Studio City, Woodland Hills and Northridge, Calif.

Irvine, Calif. – European private label fashion brand is entering the U.S. e-commerce arena with the launch of a new office and website in the U.S. The site will offer leather goods, handbags and accessories at up to an 80% discount.

Eastside specializes in having fashion and design professionals analyze the market and then select materials and trends to create private-label goods and accessories.

NEW YORK — The Estée Lauder Companies has appointed Michael O’Hare as the company’s EVP, global human resources. O’Hare will report jointly to executive chair William P. Lauder and president and CEO Fabrizio Freda.

H&M is finally tackling the online market, and plans to launch an e-commerce site in the U.S. in August.

The timing of the move for a brand synonymous with affordable fashion is opportune because it coincides with the heart of the back-to-school shopping season and sets the stage for the company to drive online sales during the holiday season.

Gerald Evans was named chief operating officer at HanesBrands after serving as co-COO since 2011.

West Chester, Pa. -- QVC has named Mustafa El-Rafey to the position of senior VP talent management and rewards. In this role El-Rafey will report to Beth Rubino, executive VP of HR and workplace services, and will lead the development and implementation of a talent management and rewards strategy for QVC. Specifically, he will focus on attracting and retaining key talent, promoting development, performance and accountability, building leadership capabilities, and supporting careers.