International Business

NEW YORK — The Jones Group announced that Marchon Eyewear will be exclusive provider of ophthalmic eyewear frames and prescription-ready sunglasses for distribution under the Nine West brand.  

Under the agreement, the Nine West ophthalmic eyewear collection will be marketed and sold globally in upscale optical chains and optical specialty retailers and by individual eye care professionals beginning in early January 2012, The Jones Group reported.  

ATLANTA — Canada's importance to the retail industry continues to grow, made evident by the recent news that Office Depot has engaged ShopVisible, a leading provider of on-demand e-commerce, social commerce, and mobile commerce solutions, to launch the retailer’s new Canadian-facing e-commerce site.

New York City -- British apparel retailer Acadia Group opened its second Topshop/Topman location in the United States, a three-level store on Chicago’s North Michigan Avenue. The space, which boasts some 35,000 sq. ft. of selling space, was previously was occupied by a Borders store.

Topshop will debut its third U.S. location, in Las Vegas, in March 2012.

Philadelphia -- Destination Maternity Corp. announced the opening of two namesake stores and two shop-in-shops in South Korea.

The freestanding locations, in the cities of Koyang and DaeJeon, are the chain’s first stores in South Korea and were opened by partner Agabang & Co.

Corte Madera, Calif. -- Restoration Hardware Holdings filed plans to return to the public stock market. In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the company said it intends to offer up to $150 million in common shares to repay debt and for general corporate purposes.

New York City -- Aldi is close to making a deal to open its first supermarket in Manhattan, Craine’s New York reported.

The German discount grocer opened its first store in New York City, in Queens, last year. According to Craine’s, Aldi is set to lease space at East River Plaza, located between 116th St. and 119 St. in Harlem. The shopper center already boasts such tenants as Target, Best Buy and the city’s first Costco.

New York City -- Dunkin' Donuts is looking to expand in the western part of the country. The chain said it is actively seeking franchisees for parts of Colorado, Texas, Nebraska, Oklahoma and New Mexico, regions in which the Dunkin barely has a presence.

To entice would-be franchisees, the company will offer reduced royalty fees and extra money for local advertising.

MOSCOW — Gap Inc. announced that it has opened its first Banana Republic store in Russia through its franchise channel. The company also announced that it will open its first Gap store in Serbia on Friday. This store will represent the company’s 200th franchise store globally.

Walmart's U.K. subsidiary Asda announced that it has mobilized its grocery site to enable shoppung from a smartphone. 

According to Asda, the new mobile-optimised site offers all of the features on the main Asda.com grocery website – meaning customers can register, shop and amend an existing order or delivery slot up until 10 p.m. the day before their delivery is due.

The new mobile optimised site also includes a mobile store locator, offering maps and directions so customers can find their nearest Asda when they are out and about, the company reported.

San Francisco -- Gap has opened its first Banana Republic store in Russia, in Moscow's AfiMall City. In related news, the company will open its first Gap store in Belgrade, Serbia, on Friday.

“We are very proud to not only be introducing Banana Republic to Russia, but also opening our 200th franchise store,” said Stephen Sunnucks, president, international, Gap. “This is a significant landmark for our goal of growing our franchise store base to 400 by 2014.”