International Business

New York -- Tiffany & Co. reported Thursday that net income for the quarter ended Oct. 31 plummeted 30% to $63.2 million from $89.7 million, hurt by higher costs and tax rates as well as continued economic softness.

Revenue climbed 4% to $852.7 million, missing Wall Street’s expected $858.8 million in sales. By region, sales rose 6% in Europe and 3% in the Americas.

The retailer has cut its full-year earnings forecast.

The Sustainability Consortium jointly administered by the University of Arkansas and the University of Arizona, with support from Walmart and many of its suppliers, is ranked among 10 ideas changing the way people live by Scientific American.

New York -- J. Crew Group reported Thursday that net income for the third quarter rose to $33.2 million, from $21.6 million in the prior year.

Revenues increased 16% to $555.8 million, and same-store sales increased 10%.

NEW YORK — James Gallagher was named CFO at Bluefly, an online retailer of designer brands founded in 1998 in the heart of New York’s fashion district.

Gallagher comes to Bluefly with more than 33 years of  financial, strategic and operations experience with growth oriented international, entrepreneurial and corporate entities across a broad range of industries, including Internet-focused marketing, e-commerce, entertainment and technology companies.

Indianapolis -- Simon Property Group Tanger Factory Outlet Centers announced Wednesday a joint venture to develop two new upscale outlet centers in Charlotte, N.C., and Columbus, Ohio.

SALT LAKE CITY — Black Diamond, a provider of outdoor recreation equipment and active lifestyle products, beefed up its senior leadership team with four new hires. The newly created positions are intended to bolster the company’s operational and sales teams, domestically and internationally.

"These four exceptional new hires mark the culmination of our two-year process to invest in the people necessary to support our global platform," said Peter Metcalf, president and CEO of Black Diamond.

Broomfield, Colo. -- TCBY, The Country's Best Yogurt will open a flagship in Broomfield, Colo., which will also serve as the company's training center for its domestic and international franchisees.

Branded food supplier ConAgra’s acquisition of private label rival Ralcorp promises to create an interesting new dynamic when it comes to trading partner relationships.

Earlier this week, the companies announced they had reached an agreement valued at $6.8 billion whereby ConAgra will acquire Ralcorp for $90 a share to create one of the nation’s largest food companies with annual sales of roughly $18 billion.