International Business

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart executives, at its Thursday webcast of its 2012 International Conference for the investment community, said its emphasis in international markets will be on improving results in existing markets as opposed to focusing on entering new territories.

"Our focus this year in particular has been on improving returns with our existing businesses," said Doug McMillon, CEO of Walmart International. He said the company is working on the key markets of China and Brazil.

Tokyo -- Japan’s Fast Retailing Co., parent of Uniqlo, reported Thursday that its net profit for the Sept.-Feb. period surged 38.7% to $705 million as an usually cold weather bolstered sales at Japan stores. Same-store sales in the period rose 2.3%.

The company lifted its full-year profit forecast to $1.7 billion from a previously announced $1.6 billion for the fiscal year ending in August, surpassing analysts’ projections.

Houston -- ATM owner Cardtronics said Thursday that it been named the exclusive provider of ATM services to all 7-Eleven convenience stores in Canada.

MONTREAL — Dollar stores in the United States have seen much success in recent years (check out Retailing Today's report on Dollar General here) and they appear to be doing just as well north of the border.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Tuesday evening elected Jan Babiak, a retired managing partner for Ernst & Young, to its board of directors. Babiak, who joins the board as an independent director, becomes the board’s 12th member.

Less than a year from today Target’s first stores in Canada open and the company encounters a familiar competitive challenge in Walmart as well as some unfamiliar operators.

Dallas -- Neiman Marcus Group announced that Joshua Schulman has been appointed president of Bergdorf Goodman, effective May 7.

Schulman, 40, joins Neiman Marcus from Jimmy Choo where he was CEO. In this role, he oversaw the international expansion of the brand and the growth of jimmychoo.com. Prior to Jimmy Choo, Schulman was president, Kenneth Cole New York, and managing director, international strategic alliances, Gap, Inc.

New York -- Private equity firm Oak Hill Capital Partners has acquired an 80% ownership stake in the 25-store natural food chain Earth Fare. The deal values the company at $300 million.

Indianapolis -- Simon Property Group said Wednesday that, in partnership with Mitsubishi Estate Co., it began construction of Shisui Premium Outlets (Shisui Town, Inba District, Chiba Prefecture), the ninth Premium Outlet Center in Japan.

Phase I, comprising 234,000 sq. ft. of GLA, is scheduled to open in spring 2013 with approximately 100 stores, including international brands, Japanese brands and restaurants. Simon owns a 40% interest in the project.
 

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Family Dollar Stores has named Mary Winston to the position of EVP and CFO. Winston will report to Howard Levine, chairman and CEO, and will have executive responsibility for Family Dollar’s financial operations, including accounting, treasury, tax, financial planning, investor relations, and internal audit.