International Business

Global flavorings leader McCormick & Company named Eli Lilly & Company executive Jacques Tapiero to its board.

Tapiero has served as SVP and president of emerging markets for Lilly since 2009 and brings more than 25 years of international business experience to the $3.5 billion spice company. Tapiero currently leads Lilly's business strategy in many of the world's fastest-growing markets, such as China, Russia, Brazil, Mexico, South Korea and Turkey. He is a member of Lilly's executive committee.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — Staples plans to improve customer experience, accelerate growth and deliver value to shareholders through a new strategic plan. Under the plan, Staples will integrate its retail and online offering, increase investment in its online businesses, reorganize its operations, implement leadership changes, initiate a multi-year cost savings plan, and restructure its international operations.

Framingham, Mass. -- Staples Inc. announced Tuesday a strategic plan to shore up sales and profitability that will involve accelerating the closure of 15 U.S. stores and 45 stores in Europe.

The office supplies retailer also said it will ramp up investment in its online and mobile efforts.

The announcement comes after a soft second quarter in which profit and traffic dipped downward.
 

OMAHA, Neb. — ConAgra Foods is expanding its facility in Russellville, Ark. to make Bertolli brand and P.F. Chang’s brand frozen meals. The expansion, anticipated to be a $100 million investment, is expected to create more than 80 jobs.

TORONTO — Walmart Canada is leading the search for the next great business idea through its second annual Green Student Challenge.

The retailer is looking for teams of post-secondary students from across the country to convince some of Canada's most successful business leaders that they have the most compelling breakthrough idea to change business as we know it. A total of $100,000 in cash will be awarded including $25,000 to the winners and $25,000 to the winners' school.

Kellogg Company and leading Asian agribusiness group Wilmar International have entered into a joint venture involving the manufacture, sale and distribution of Kellogg’s and Pringles brand products in China.

The firms are equal partners in the deal designed to accelerate Kellogg’s growth in a market the company expects to become the world’s largest food and beverage market within five years.

New Delhi, India -- A Friday report by the Wall Street Journal disclosed that Wal-Mart Stores Inc. expects to open its first retail stores in India within the next 12 to 18 months.

In an interview with WSJ, Scott Price, Asia president and CEO of Wal-Mart, said that the retailer has not pinpointed where the first stores will be located or ultimately how many there will be. But the latest decision handed down by the Indian government allowing megastore retailers to enter the country via joint ventures paved the way for the impending openings.

New York -- Two U.S. retailers took home top honors at the 2012 World Retail Awards in London, with Costco Wholesale Club named “Retailer of the Year,” and Macy’s recognized as “Multichannel Retailer of the Year.” The awards were announced as part of the 2012 World Retail Congress.