International Business

Costco tops estimates as January same-store sales rise 4%
Issaquah, Wash. — Costco Wholesale Club’s same-store sales rose 4% in January, topping analysts' expectations. The metric rose 5% in the United States, and was 1% internationally.

Removing the impact of lower gas prices and foreign currency fluctuations, same-store sales were up 6%, rising 5% in the United States and 8% overseas.

For the 22 weeks ended Feb. 2, Costco reported net sales of $46.3 billion, representing a similar increase of 6% versus the year-ago period.
Men’s Wearhouse offers international shipping for online customers
Fremont, Calif. - Customers in the U.S. and around the world can now shop on the Men’s Wearhouse e-commerce site and ship directly to themselves or friends and family in more than 100 countries. Men's Wearhouse says it introduced international shipping in response to customer requests to do so.

Men's Wearhouse expands digital footprint

Men's Wearhouse has introduced international shipping to online customers in more than 100 countries. The company is promising affordable shipping rates and order totals guaranteed at the time of purchase to the international community.
Cabela’s names financial exec to board

Sidney, Neb. - Cabela’s Inc. has named Donna M. Milrod to its board of directors. Milrod has been the chief administrative officer of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) since October 2012, with responsibilities for DTCC’s finance, operations, regulatory relations, business continuity, vendor management, and security functions.
Topshop takes Manhattan

Topshop/Topman plans to open a 40,000-sq-ft. flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York. The new Manhattan store will be located on the corner of 49th Street, and is adjacent to Rockefeller Center.
Digital money transfer provider Xoom acquires BlueKite

Xoom, a leading digital money transfer provider, has acquired BlueKite, LTD, a cutting edge technology company that develops applications to improve the way people around the world pay their bills, for approximately $15 million in cash and equity.

Guatemala City-based BlueKite, which currently has 30 employees, caught Xoom’s eye because of its technology platform for cross-border bill payments and mobile phone top-ups. This acquisition will allow Xoom to offer adjacent services to its money transfer offerings.
Time for Smart Cards

By John Mulligan, executive VP and CFO, Target
Topshop to open Fifth Avenue flagship; four other U.S. stores

London – Topshop/Topman plans to open a 40,000-sq-ft. flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York. The new Manhattan store will be located on the corner of 49th Street, and is adjacent to the Rockefeller Center.
Cabela’s adds DTCC administrative chief Milrod to board

Cabela’s has appointed Donna M. Milrod to its board of directors.

“Donna is a proven leader and brings a wealth of regulatory, finance, and capital markets experience,” said CEO Tommy Millner. “The board and Cabela’s will greatly benefit from Donna’s insights and knowledge.”
PizzaRev to open in Van Nuys, Calif.

Los Angeles — PizzaRev will open its seventh location in Van Nuys, Calif., on Feb. 7. PizzaRev is a Los Angeles-based fast casual pizza chain that fires pizzas in just three minutes. Founded in 2012 by entertainment industry executives Irv Zuckerman and Rodney Eckerman.

PizzaRev announced a strategic partnership with Buffalo Wild Wings last March, and Buffalo Wild Wings will open the first PizzaRev franchise location in Sprung 2014 in Minneapolis.

Costco tops estimates as January same-store sales rise 4%

Men’s Wearhouse offers international shipping for online customers

Men's Wearhouse expands digital footprint

Cabela’s names financial exec to board

Topshop takes Manhattan

Digital money transfer provider Xoom acquires BlueKite

Time for Smart Cards

Topshop to open Fifth Avenue flagship; four other U.S. stores

Cabela’s adds DTCC administrative chief Milrod to board

PizzaRev to open in Van Nuys, Calif.