International Business

Los Angeles — Caruso Affiliated has appointed Judy Johnson to the newly created post of chief marketing and communications officer. In her new role, Johnson will support the company’s expanding portfolio of projects throughout California and oversee marketing, public relations, strategic alliances and entertainment initiatives.

New York -- Swedish fast-fashion retailer H&M said on Thursday it will debut two of its newer retail formats, COS and & Other Stories, in the United States this year.

H&M will open its first COS U.S. location this April in New York City’s SoHo area. A second U.S. store will open later this year, in Beverly Hills, Calif.

The retailer’s & Other Stories banner will make its U.S. debut this fall, opening a store in downtown Manhattan.

San Jose, Calif. -- EBay Enterprise, an EBay company, will open a new fulfillment center in Ontario, Canada, in second quarter 2014. The new 150,000-sq.-ft. facility will support client growth, including The Children’s Place, which recently signed a new multiyear agreement with EBay Enterprise.

eBay Enterprise plans to open a new fulfillment center in Ontario, Canada, in second quarter 2014. The new 150,000-sq.-ft. facility will support client growth, including The Children’s Place, which recently signed a new multi-year agreement with the company.

Brentwood, Tenn. -- Tractor Supply Company is opening its 1,300th store, as the company continues to grow toward its stated opportunity of 2,100 domestic store locations. The 1,300th store, located in Bullhead City, Ariz., will celebrate its grand opening on March 29, 2014.

Following a disappointing fourth quarter and fiscal year ended Feb. 1, Toys “R” Us hosted investors, industry analysts and the media and outlined its strategy for improving its operational performance and driving profitable growth in the future.

New York -- Wal-Mart Stores spent $439 million during the past two years to investigate the possible payment of foreign bribes, Bloomberg reported, making it ranks as one of the most expensive probes in U.S. history.

Wal-Mart spent $282 million in the fiscal year ended Jan. 31 and $157 million the previous year, and expenses will continue to rise, according to an annual report filed March 21. On Feb. 20, Wal-Mart projected FCPA probe and compliance costs would be $200 million to $240 million for fiscal 2015.

Duluth, Minn. -- Ascena Retail Group, parent to the Maurices, DressBarn and Lane Bryant banners, announced the 900th Maurices store opening. The Fresno, Calif., store will officially open later this month, joining 899 other stores in the U.S. and Canada.

Maurices will open 60 new stores by the end of its fiscal year in July 2014. In addition to new store openings, Maurices is remodeling or expanding 80 stores this year.  

The company's long-term goal is to reach over 1,200 stores domestically and 100 stores in Canada.