International Business

PLANO, Texas - Two members of the Dr Pepper Snapple Group executive leadership team have been promoted to the level of executive vice president, the company announced.

Effective Jan. 1, 2011, David Thomas, Ph.D., is EVP research and development, and Tina Barry becomes EVP corporate affairs. Both continue to report directly to Larry Young, DPS president and CEO.

Seattle -- Retail design firm Callison said Tuesday it has added Shawn Rush as associate principal in the company’s Seattle office.

Rush, a LEED AP, will focus on business development in the Global Retail studio, which includes national accounts and workplace interiors. Her role also consists of identifying developing trends and targeting market opportunities for Callison’s domestic offices.

New York City -- Centro NP Residual Holding LLC said Friday it has sold a portion of its interest in 25 shopping centers and formed a joint venture with Inland American CP Investment, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Inland American Real Estate Trust.

The new joint venture has secured $310 million of term loans with J.P. Morgan and Goldman Sachs, which mature in 10 years and are secured by assets within the joint venture.

PHOENIX - The board of directors of PetSmart has unanimously appointed Dr. Angel Cabrera, Ph.D., to the board, effective Dec. 9. 

Cabrera is president of the Thunderbird School of Global Management, a position he has held since 2004. Prior to joining Thunderbird, Cabrera was professor and dean at Instituto de Empresa in Madrid, Spain from 1998 to 2004.

New York - Fast Retailing, Asia’s biggest clothing chain and the parent of Uniqlo, is lookjing to open at least 200 Uniqlo stores in the United States  by 2020 as it seeks to raise sales sixfold in a decade, according to a Bloomberg report. 

"The United States is one of the most important markets for us,” Shin Odake, CEO of Uniqlo’s U.S. unit, said in an interview with Bloomberg Television. 

Bentonville, Ark. - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is closing its Moscow office but said it is still interested in the Russian market.

The retailer said Monday that it has been looking to enter the Russian market through an acquisition, but has not found a near-term opportunity so it does not need the Moscow office at this time.

NEW YORK - Macy's announced that it was found to be the number one department store retailer in the United States, according to a survey of international visitors by Mandala Research.

Yamaguchi City, Japan -- Fast Retailing Co. said Friday it aims to open at least 200 Uniqlo stores in the U.S. by 2020.

Asia’s largest clothing chain said it seeks to raise sales sixfold in a decade.

“The United States is one of the most important markets for us,” Shin Odake, CEO of Uniqlo’s U.S. unit, said in an interview with Bloomberg Television. “We want to become the number one retailer in the world.”

Hong Kong -- Li & Fung Ltd., the biggest supplier to Wal-Mart Stores said Friday that it may increase acquisitions in China as the country’s consumer spending grows, U.S. demand rebounds and inflation propels companies to seek partners.

Li & Fung president Bruce Rockowitz told Bloomberg that it may buy Chinese companies in the fashion, cosmetics and furniture industries in the next three years. He also said it will increase purchases in the United States, Europe and Japan.

Vancouver, British Columbia -- Yoga apparel retailer and manufacturer Lululemon athletica reported Thursday that net income for the quarter ended Oct. 31 rose to $25.7 million, compared with $14.1 million in the year-ago period.

Net revenue surged 56% to $175.8 million, from $112.9 million. Same-store sales increased 29%.

The company operates 134 stores in North America and Australia.