International Business

Affluent shoppers feeling better about their personal balance sheets helped global luxury brand Tumi grow total sales by 12.9%, same store sales by 4.6% and double profits in the second quarter ended June 24.

Best known for its expensive luggage, Tumi said sales total $108.2 million during the period and profits increased to $11.2 million, or 16 cents a share, compared to profits of $6.5 million, or 10 cents a share in the same period the prior year.

Bentonville, Ark. – Wal-Mart is considering entering the bidding for Hong Kong-based grocery chain ParknShop, Reuters reports. Wal-Mart is currently exploring options to enter the initial bidding process for ParknShop, which closes Aug. 16.

ParknShop is owned by Hutchison Whampoa Ltd., which in turn is owned by Li Ka-shing, reputedly the wealthiest man in Asia. The chain may be valued as high as $4 billion.

Wal-Mart, which has not commented publicly, said last year it would open 100 new stores in China by 2015.

Northbrook, Ill. – Crate and Barrel is implementing the Flagship parcel shipping and Netship expense management solutions from Kewill, Inc. Using the new Kewill software, Crate and Barrel hopes to consistently manage domestic and international shipments from multiple shipping locations across North America, integrating with a roster of carriers to ensure the best available rate and service is selected.

Walmart may make a bid for 345 store Hong Kong supermarket chain known as ParknShop that is owned by Hutchison Whampoa, according to a Reuters report that cited people familiar with the matter.

Walmart is often linked to international retailers as a potential acquirer and according to the Reuters report it is among eight potential suitors for ParknShop who have until August 16 to submit preliminary offers.

Chelmsford, Mass. -- Forever 21 has tapped workforce management solution-provider Kronos Inc. for a global solution to address multinational needs and standardize the specialty retailer’s brand experience delivery across the world.

New York -- Fashion presence Michael Kors Holdings Ltd. reported a first-quarter profit of $125 million, nearly double the $68.6 million profit of the year-ago period.

Revenue for the quarter ended June 29 soared 54% percent to $640.9 million, well above Wall Street’s expected $570.5 million. Same-store sales climbed 27.3%. In North America, which generates 86% of the company's business, same-store sales rose 25%.

Peoria, Ill. — Cullinan Properties has announced the appointment of Masood Aini as VP investments in the company’s Chicago office.

With eight years of commercial real estate experience, Aini comes to the firm from Trevi Retail in New York, where he served as director of acquisitions and Leasing responsible for internal leasing efforts and the sourcing, underwriting and valuing of Manhattan retail condominiums and mixed-use assets.

Boca Raton, Fla. – Office Depot has filed a presentation with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which the retailer says demonstrates the importance of shareholders electing its board’s nominees at the company’s annual meeting on Aug. 21.