International Business

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart held its annual shareholders’ meeting Friday morning against the backdrop of the company’s 50th anniversary and allegations of corruption in Mexico.

The seemingly diametrically opposed situations presented senior executives with the opportunity to underscore how the company’s unique culture and such enduring values as integrity would power future growth.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Holdings announced that Sears Canada has filed a Registration Statement on Form 20-F with the U.S. SEC in connection with the company’s previously announced plan to spin-off a portion of its interest in Sears Canada.

New York -- Wal-Mart Stores CEO Mike Duke on Friday called integrity the company’s “bedrock” value during a presentation at the chain’s annual shareholders meeting in Fayetteville, Ark. The meeting was held against the backdrop of allegations of illegal payments made to facilitate growth in Mexico, which Duke addressed directly in the following remarks: “We're working to continually strengthen our compliance efforts around the world,” he said.

PITTSBURGH — American Eagle Outfitters has named Mary Boland as EVP, chief financial and administrative officer, effective July 9. Boland’s responsibilities will include finance, investor relations, merchandise planning and allocation, strategy planning, and other administrative functions.

New York -- Amazon.com Inc. will begin collecting 7% sales tax from New Jersey residents starting in July 2013. The online giant announced the agreenment on Wednesday at the Statehouse in Trenton, N.J.  It also announced it will build two distribution centers in New Jersey.

Each warehouse will measure about one million square feet. The centers will create a projected 1,500 full-time jobs and would enable the state of New Jersey to collect an estimated $30 to $40 million in tax revenue.

Same-store sales at Costco’s U.S. stores increased 5% during the four week period ended May 27.

New York -- Levi Strauss & Co. promoted Joelle Mahler, senior VP of Americas Retail, to the new post of executive VP of the company, and president of global retail, effective immediately.

Mahler will be responsible for Levi’s retail operations worldwide, including company-owned, franchise and outlet stores, along with e-commerce.
 

Orlando, Fla. -- Cuhaci & Peterson Architects said Wednesday it has been awarded a contract to design four Aldi Supermarkets in located in North and South Carolina and Florida.

Each of the supermarket facilities will total 18,000 sq. ft. of retail space and are located in Salisbury and Indian Trails, N.C., in Columbia, S.C., and in southwest Orlando, Fla., near Disney World.