International Business

LONDON — Showcasing its brands at Brand Licensing Europe this week, Hasbro said it is well-positioned to expand its retail presence in new and emerging markets throughout Europe with innovative and trend-forward licensing programs across many licensing categories. This growth has been driven by Hasbro expanding its U.K. and France licensing teams while at the same time opening new offices and further developing relationships with leading retailers in Russia, Germany, Poland, Turkey, and Spain over the past year.

San Francisco — Gap Inc. is bringing several of its divisions under the leadership of one executive in order to fuel long-term growth.

With the start of the 2013 fiscal year, the company will bring together its North American, international, online, outlet and franchise divisions under a single global executive for each of its Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy brands. In addition, the company will form a new Innovation and Digital Strategy team to further its leadership position in this area.

Dallas -- 7-Eleven Inc. announced  two acquisitions that will further expand its U.S. store portfolio.

The company has closed deals with EZ Energy USA Inc. to purchase 67 retail locations in the Cleveland and Pittsburgh markets, and with its licensee, Handee Marts Inc., to acquire 58 7-Eleven convenience stores in those same markets as well as locations in northern West Virginia and western Maryland.

MONTREAL — Canadian dollar-store chain, Dollarama, has named Richard Roy as an independent director of the corporation. Roy will fill the vacancy created among the board of directors by the resignation of Matthew Levin.

Roy will also sit on the audit committee of the corporation, and Huw Thomas, independent director of Dollarama, will replace Levin on the human resources and compensation committee while remaining a member of the audit committee and the nominating and governance committee of the corporation.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Kodak is moving forward with its plans to emerge from bankruptcy and said Friday it is ready to discuss reorganization plans with certain key creditor groups.

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. — Dollar General has named Pat Fili-Krushel to its board of directors effective Oct. 15.

SHANGHAI, China and PAWTUCKET, R.I. — Hasbro has entered into a partnership with Alpha Animation, a toy and entertainment company in China, to form a Chinese joint venture company for the co-development of toys and games.

If approved, the joint venture will focus on developing toys from Alpha's popular Blazing Teens brand. A brand from Hasbro’s global portfolio also will be selected for development. Hasbro and Alpha Animation will in turn collaborate to develop these brands for China and global markets.

Pleasanton, Calif. -- Safeway Inc. posted a lower profit from continuing operations for the third quarter on Thursday, but its net profit rose to $157 million from $130.2 last year, helped by the sale of some of its Genuardi's stores. The company reported income from continuing operations of $108.0 million for the quarter ended Sept. 8, compared with $130.3 million in third quarter 2011.