International Business

Toronto -- Vitapath, a subsidiary of U.S.-based Vitamin Shoppe, has opened its first two Canadian stores in the greater Toronto area in Newmarket and Leaside. The company expects to expand its retail stores under the Vitapath banner across Canada, with additional locations expected to open later in 2013.

NEW YORK — The National Retail Federation has elected Saks chairman and CEO Stephen I. Sadove to chairman of the NRF board of directors and chairman of its executive committee. Sadove succeeds NRF’s chairman, Terry J. Lundgren, who is chairman, president and CEO of Macy’s.
 

New York -- The National Retail Federation on Monday announced that Saks Inc. chairman and CEO Stephen I. Sadove has been elected chairman of the NRF board of directors and chairman of its executive committee.

Sadove succeeds NRF’s immediate past chairman, Terry J. Lundgren, chairman, president and CEO of Macy’s.

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Mattress and pillow manufacturer Tempur-Pedic has announced that its EVP of global operations, Matthew Clift, is retiring.

A succession plan and search is already underway with Clift continuing to lead the global operations team during the transition period.

Tempur-Pedic credits Clift with the global operations team’s success, which is describes as vital to the company's success and progression in recent years.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores announced that Enrique Ostale, president and CEO of Walmart Chile, formerly D&S, has been named EVP, president and CEO of Walmart Latin America, where he will oversee Walmart's operations in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and Nicaragua.

FRISCO, Texas — National Envelope, a privately held envelopes manufacturer in North America, has appointed former Tyco executive Jim Pinto to president and COO.

An affiliate of global investment firm the Gores Group, National Envelope regards itself as an environmental leader in the paper and envelope converting industries and has certifications from the Forest Stewardship Council, Rainforest Alliance, Sustainable Forestry Initiative, Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification and Green Seal.

RACINE, Wis. — SC Johnson, a leader in sustainability, has received the Renewable Energy Customer-Generator of the Year award from Renew Wisconsin.

Renew Wisconsin is an independent nonprofit organization that leads and represents businesses, organizations and individuals who want cleaner, renewable energy in the state. It recognized SC Johnon for its achievements in using renewable energy in its global manufacturing operations.

Washington -- Import cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports is expected to increase 2.3% in January over the same month last year as retailers continue to urge labor and management to avoid a strike at East Coast and Gulf Coast docks, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates. A strike would close 14 ports from Maine to Texas where nearly 15,000 dockworkers handle 40% of the nation’s ocean cargo.