International Business

NORTHBROOK, Ill. — Crate and Barrel will carry three exclusive collections by Italian designer, architect, art director and interior designer Paola Navone. The first of three collections will be available online through crateandbarrel.com and in select stores Sept. 9, and in all locations by Sept. 13.

The first collection will consist of more than 140 items across multiple categories, including tabletop, textiles, decorative accessories, lighting, rugs, dining tables and seating. 

Seattle -- Starbucks Coffee Company will enter the country of Columbia, opening a store in the first half of 2014 in Bogota. It will be operated through a joint venture between the company's Latin American franchisee, Alsea, and the food company Grupo Nutresa.

Starbucks said it has "aggressive plans" to open locations in Bogota and other major cities throughout Colombia over the next five years.

Braun has tapped triple Formula 1 world champion Sebastian Vettel as the new global brand ambassador. Vettel will be the face of the brand’s “Hold on to your Dreams” global marketing campaign. 

The announcement was made at the Formula 1 Circuit of Spa-Francorchamps. 

Chicago -- Jones Lang LaSalle announced Monday it has acquired Means Knaus Partners, a Houston-based property management company as part of the firm's expansion in third-party property management.

The deal boosts Jones Lang LaSalle's portfolio of office space under management by 16 million sq. ft. of space with properties located primarily in Dallas, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Orlando, Fla., and Tampa, Fla.

CINCINNATI — As part of its efforts to expand its global footprint, Procter & Gamble is partnering with Habitat for Humanity to fund the construction, repair and cleaning of homes in 12 countries around the world. 

This commitment represents Habitat’s highest level of global volunteer engagement in a single year, with nearly 3,000 employees volunteering on more than 30 projects occurring around the world in 2013.

Bangkok, Thailand -- Berli Jucker PLC, (BJC), a Thailand-based provider of CPG goods, is adopting the Vision Suite enterprise platform from Jesta I.S. Merchandising and POS solutions are among the Vision technologies BJC is employing.

BJC will leverage the Vision Suite for managing its multi-channel retail operations in Thailand and Vietnam. Upon implementation, BJC will have an end-to-end integrated system delivering greater ability to analyze store strategy and visibility over retail decisions.

NEW YORK — Weight Watchers International has named Ann Hollins as the company's chief human resources officer. Hollins will report to president and CEO Jim Chambers and will serve as a member of the Weight Watchers executive committee.

Hollins replaces Meredith Shepherd, who left the company in May after 11 years.

New York -- Foot Locker's second-quarter net income increased 12%, partly due to a recent acquisition. (In July, the retailer completed its purchase of German athletic store chain Runners Point Group for $94 million.)

For the period ended Aug. 3, the company earned $66 million, compared to $59 million a year ago. Its results were in line with expectations.

Revenue rose 6.4% to $1.45 billion from $1.37 billion, in line with expectations. Same-store sales rose 1.8%.