International Business

NEW YORK — Ahava, a leading skincare brand, has promoted Elana Drell Szyfer, currently CEO of the company in North America, to group CEO of Ahava globally. She replaces Yacov Ellis who has resigned his position to pursue new opportunities, following a 10-year tenure as CEO. 

VERNON, Calif. — True Religion Apparel has appointed David Conn as CEO. He will be joined by a new leadership team that, together with the company’s new owner, TowerBrook Capital Partners L.P., will be charged with guiding the company into its next phase of growth.

Conn joins from VF Corporation and has leadership experience in brand management and marketing in the apparel and footwear industries. Prior to his time as president of VF Retail Licensed Brands, Conn served as EVP of the Iconix Brand Group.

AUSTIN, Texas — Whole Foods Market sees demand for 1,000 new stores in the U.S. and thinks Canada and the U.K. hold great promise as well, based on its sales increase of 12% to $3.1 billion for the third quarter ended July 7, from $2.7 billion for the same year-ago period.

The focus of retail analysts will be squarely on Target later this year when the company hosts an investor conference in Toronto on October 30. It will be the company’s first such event since entering the market and by the fall the company should have all of its 124 planned stores open and ready to roll for Christmas. For more details and to add to your calendar, click here.

New York -- Coach Inc. on Tuesday reported a 12% drop in net income in its fourth quarter amid weaker same-store sales in North America, and also said it would sell its Reed Krakoff business to a group led by Reed Krakoff, who will depart the company as executive creative director when the deal is completed.

PITTSBURGH — GNC Holdings has named Carmine Fortino as EVP, business development. Fortino has extensive experience in the natural products industry and was also a former director of General Nutrition Centers, Inc. from 2007-2011.

"Carmine is a great addition to the GNC senior management team. His background in multichannel development across the health and wellness segment will enhance our approach to new market opportunities as we continue to implement GNC's proven growth strategy," said Joseph Fortunato, GNC's chairman, president and CEO.

Pittsburgh -- GNC Holdings Inc. has named Carmine Fortino as executive VP business development. He most recently served as president of North American operations for Atrium Innovations Inc., a Canadian natural health products company. Fortino also previously held various management roles within Loblaw Companies Limited, including executive VP of Ontario operations, as well as executive positions with Zehrmart Limited, a grocery chain owned by Loblaw.

DALLAS — Bridgett Zeterberg, general counsel and secretary of Zale Corporation, has been promoted to SVP, general counsel and secretary. Zeterberg joined Zale in September 2010 and became general counsel and secretary in February 2012. Zeterberg is responsible for all legal, compliance and contractual matters, as well as corporate and board governance. She will continue to report to Theo Killion, CEO.