International Business

Issaquah, Wash. – Costco Wholesale Corp. increased profit and sales during the first quarter of fiscal 2014 that missed Wall Street expectations hurt by a 5.5% rise in operating expenses, lower gasoline prices, and weak foreign currencies.
Profit rose 2% $425 million, from $416 million a year earlier.

Net sales rose 5% to $24.47, missing estimates of $25.4 million.

Pleasanton, Calif. – Safeway has appointed Brian Baer to president of the company's Eastern Division. Baer joined Safeway in 2001 as VP finance for the company's Phoenix Division. In 2004, he became group VP finance planning and analysis at the Safeway's corporate headquarters.

Vancouver, British Columbia -- Lululemon Athletica Inc. on Tuesday named Laurent Potdevin as CEO, and also announced founder Chip Wilson will step down as non-executive chairman. Potdevin, most recently president of Toms Shoes, will replace Lululemon’s current CEO, Christine Day, in January, and will also become a director at that time. Prior to Toms, he served as president and CEO of Burton Snowboards from 2005 – 2010.

Boca Raton, Fla. -- Office Depot has selected Boca Raton, Fla., for its global headquarters rather than the Naperville, Ill., corporate home of its merger partner OfficeMax.

Office Depot has chosen Boca Raton, Fla., for its global headquarters.

The company took several factors into account, including the cost to operate each headquarters location, lease obligations and sublease considerations, tax implications, government incentives, ability to add associates and incorporate functions in the current space, and people-related costs.

Winston-Salem, N.C. -- Krispy Kreme plans to open its first store in Taiwan on Dec. 12. The new 2,400-sq.-ft. store will be located in Taipei and is the first of 10 planned Krispy Kreme stores in Taiwan during the next five years by Krispy Kreme's new franchise partner, Huan Hsin Co., Ltd.

The opening was initially announced to fans of the Krispy Kreme Taiwan Facebook page, and the retailer is giving away more than 10,000 dozen doughnuts at local events throughout Taipei.

Currently president and CEO of Walmart's Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and Canada region, David Cheesewright has been promoted to president and CEO of Walmart International, the company's second largest operating segment.

Cheesewright will report to Doug McMillon, who was tapped to succeed Mike Duke as the company's president and CEO. Both assume their new roles Feb. 1, 2014. Cheesewright's successor will be named at a later date.

Bentonville, Ark. – Wal-Mart Stores named David Cheesewright, 51, as the new president and CEO of Walmart International. He succeeds Douglas McMillon, who is set to become the chain’s CEO, the retailer's top executive. Both assume their new roles on Feb. 1, 2014.