International Business

Toronto — The Hudson's Bay Co. announced it has earned exclusive Canadian franchise rights for the United Kingdom’s Topshop and its male counterpart, Topman. The agreement includes the rights for both freestanding locations and in-store shops, expected to launch in The Bay in fall 2011.

West Palm Beach, Fla. — Hurricane Grill & Wings announced it has signed seven new domestic development agreements, adding commitments for 233 new restaurants to its 42 existing locations.

The new development agreements will contribute to the company's accelerated growth plan with new locations in 15 states, including California, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Maryland, Missouri, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and District of Columbia.

Paris -- LVMH announced the appointment of longtime Procter & Gamble veteran Christopher de Lapuente as global president and CEO of Sephora, effective March 31, 2011.

Lapuente joined P&G in 1983. He spent the whole of his career within the company, and in 2004, he was appointed president, the youngest ever in P&G history.

ORRVILLE, Ohio  -- The J. M. Smucker Company announced several executive appointments. Effective Aug. 16, Richard K. Smucker will become the sole CEO of the company.  Timothy P. Smucker will continue to serve the company as chairman of the board.

The board of directors also approved the following additional executive appointments and realignment of responsibilities effective May 1:

New York City -- Urban Outfitters will debut its newest brand, a bridal-shop concept called Bhldn, in early fall, in Houston. The company launched the brand online in February.

Urban Outfitters will open 50 to 55 stores in its current fiscal year, with the emphasis on growing its Free People brand and expansion of its namesake division and Anthropologie in Europe.

New York City -- Aeropostale announced that it has signed a licensing agreement with Montreal PTE Ltd., a joint venture between Apparel Group LLC and Jay Gee Melwani Group, to open approximately 25 stores across Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia, over the next five years.

The first store is scheduled to open in Singapore later this year.

WAYNE, N.J. – With reports of a possible IPO looming and strong quarterly results, Toys"R"Us is poised to dominate the toy sector, which has shown signs of a resurgence and renewed consumer interest, thanks to a number of innovations and must-have items as displayed during the 2011 Toy Fair. 

According to reports, the company is considering the idea of filing for an initial public offering this April, which is expected to raise about $800 million.

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Robert Ingle, the founder and CEO of regional supermarket chain Ingles Markets, died March 6, the company announced Monday. He was 77.

The company's board of directors said Ingle will be succeeded by his son, Robert Ingle II, who has been Ingles chairman of the board since 2004.

Ingle, who founded the business in 1963, served as CEO since the company was incorporated in 1965, as well as president from 1965 until 1982.

Ingles Markets operates 203 supermarkets across six southeastern states.

Los Angeles -- Guess announced Monday that it has appointed Nancy Shachtman as its president of North America, reporting to Paul Marciano, CEO and vice chairman.

Shactman was previously president of Guess Inc. Wholesale. In her new position, she will oversee the North American retail operations for Guess and Guess by Marciano, as well as Guess Wholesale, including Mexico.

FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- GE Home & Business Solutions announced that Maryrose Sylvester has been named president and CEO of GE Lighting, a global industry leader in lighting, systems and services for commercial, industrial and residential use. 

Sylvester, who will report to GE Appliances & Lighting president amd CEO James Campbell, succeeds Michael Petras who has led GE Lighting since 2008. Petras is leaving GE to take a position outside of the company.