International Business

Houston — Transwestern’s Houston headquarters today announced that it is acquiring Richards Barry Joyce & Partners, a full-service real estate firm based in Boston. It will become Transwestern’s 34th U.S. office.

Los Angeles -- Grocery chain Fresh & Easy confirmed reports that its British parent Tesco LLC has sold the brand to private equity firm The Yucaipa Cos., following months of uncertainty about the 200+-unit chain’s future.

Fresh & Easy posted on its website Tuesday that more than 4,000 jobs would be saved under the purchase agreement but that some stores will be closing. Specific stores have not been identified, and the terms of the agreement weren’t disclosed.

Oak Brook, Ill. - McDonald's Corporation reported increased same-store sales in all but one segment during August 2013. Same-store sales increased 0.2% in the U.S. compared to the same month in the previous year, and also grew 3.3% in Europe and 1.9% globally.

However, same-store sales in Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa (AMPEA) declined 0.5%. McDonald’s cited negative sales results in Japan and China, partially offset by positive results in many other markets and the shift in timing of Ramadan. Systemwide sales improved 2.8%.

Abercrombie & Fitch has extended its contract with GT Nexus to expand its cloud supply chain strategy and improve visibility into the movement of orders, payments and goods. 

Since 2010, the company has used the GT Nexus platform to support international sourcing and supplier collaboration.

Abercrombie & Fitch operates 1,053 apparel stores in 20 countries across four unique lifestyle brands: Abercrombie & Fitch, Abercrombie Kids, Hollister Co. and Gilly Hicks. The retailer operates distinct e-commerce sites for each of the four brands. 

Memphis, Tenn. — Perkins Restaurant & Bakery has announced a six-unit franchise development agreement in Iowa and Nebraska over the next six years. The franchisee, CyHawk Hospitality Inc., currently operates six Perkins Restaurants and Bakeries — five in Iowa and another in Independence, Mo.

The first of the six new units opened in July in Ankeny, Iowa. Another location in Norfolk, Neb., has broken ground with an anticipated opening later this month.

NEW YORK — Tiffany & Co. has appointed Francesca Amfitheatrof as the company’s design director. Amfitheatrof will oversee design of all Tiffany product categories.

“Tiffany has a brilliant legacy of legendary style and design. When we combine this legacy with Francesca’s passion for jewelry and craftsmanship we have an exciting opportunity to interpret Tiffany in a new way for the modern, global consumer,” said Michael J. Kowalski, chairman and CEO.

Aliso Viejo, Calif. — Honduras has welcomed Johnny Rockets to its first location in the country at City Mall Tegucigalpa. It is the second Central American restaurant — the first opened in Panama City in 2010. The new restaurant spans 2,266 sq. ft. plus a 365-sq.-ft. terrace. It seats 105 diners.

The largest shopping center in the Honduran capital, City Mall features more than 300 shops and restaurants; eight Cinemark theatres; and parking for 1,500 cars.

Import volume at the nation’s major retail container ports is expected to grow 5.1% in September over the same month last year as retailers head into the holiday season, according to the National Retail Federation. 

U.S. ports followed by the monthly Global Port Tracker report, released by the NRF and Hackett Associates, handled 1.43 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) in July, the latest month for which after-the-fact numbers are available.