International Business

Less than two weeks after announcing plans to reduce overall international capital expenditures, top Walmart executives were telling a different story in China this week.

At a press event in Beijing, Walmart CEO Mike Duke and Walmart China CEO Greg Foran said the company planned to opening as many as 110 new facilities during the next three years including stores in China’s smaller cities while also closing up to 9% of its 397 units and remodeling 165 stores.

MISSISSAUGA, Ont. -- Samsung Electronics Canada is opening 90 new format Samsung Experience Shops  in partnership with Best Buy Canada and Future Shop.  
 
The company plans to expand its Canadian retail footprint with the opening of two freestanding Samsung Experience Stores, one in Edmonton, Alberta, and the other Richmond, B.C. All retail locations are scheduled to open by spring 2014.

Carter’s, parent company of Carter's and OshKosh B'gosh, reported record sales in the third quarter, driven primarily by growth in the company’s Carter's brand and international businesses.

“Our growth reflects the strength of our brands and multi-channel business model,” said chairman and CEO Michael D. Casey. “We believe we are well-positioned with strong product offerings and compelling promotions heading into the holiday season and expect to achieve our growth objectives this year."

San Jose, Calif. – eBay is acquiring Shutl, a London-based same-day e-commerce delivery company with North American headquarters in San Francisco, for an undisclosed sum. Through the purchase, eBay hopes to establish its one-hour eBay Now delivery service in 25 cities in the U.S., and U.K., by the end of 2014.

Toronto – Sobey’s Inc. has signed a consent agreement with the Canadian Competition Bureau allowing it to proceed with the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Canada Safeway.

As part of the consent agreement, Sobey’s will divest 23 stores in the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba and Sasketchewan. The deal, announced in June, will cost Sobey’s owner Empire Co. Ltd. about $5.7 billion.

Houston – After rejecting a $2.3 billion buyout offer from Jos. A. Bank, Men’s Wearhouse reportedly is considering purchasing men’s shoemaker Allen Edmonds Corp., according to reports by the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and others. The high-end footwear is owned by private equity firm Goldner Hawn Johnson & Morrison, which bought it seven years ago.

It wasn’t clear how — or if — a deal for Allen Edmonds would impact on Jos. A. Bank’s offer.

Lumber Liquidators increased its net income in the third quarter of fiscal 2013 58.4% to $20.4 million, from $12.9 million in the year-ago period.

Net sales grew 24.5% to $254.3 million, from $204.3 million in the same period a year earlier. Same-store sales grew 17.4%, driven by a 9.8% increase in the number of customers invoiced and a 6.9% increase in the average sale.  

Under Armour is continuing its drive toward domestic and international growth by bolstering its senior executive team. The brand has elevated chief operating officer Kip Fulks to president of product and Henry Stafford to president of North America.  

In their new positions, Fulks will further leverage his leadership experience in product, innovation, supply chain and IT, while Stafford will oversee North America wholesale, retail marketing, global retail and global e-commerce.