International Business

Sam's Club shoppers in Mexico who have a hankering for deep dish pizza will soon be able to satisfy their craving thanks to a new deal with Uno Foods and Sam's Club. Uno's deep dish pizza, artisan thin crust varieties and other items will be distributed at Sam's Clubs throughout Mexico.

New York -- Foot Locker's first-quarter profit rose 36%, exceeding Wall Street predictions. For the quarter ended April 28, the company earned $128 million, up from $94 million in the same quarter last year.

"2012 has gotten off to an outstanding start, with our first quarter results representing the highest level of quarterly earnings in the company's history," said chairman and CEO Ken Hicks.

Sales rose 8.7% to $1.58 billion from $1.45 billion. Same-store sales increased 9.7%.

Sam Club president and CEO Ros Brewer on Thursday named Charles Redfield as Sam’s newest EVP merchandising to replace Linda Hefner who will relocate to Chicago, according to an internal announcement.

New York -- J. Sainsbury Plc is in talks with retailers in the United States and South America to license the technology behind Sainsbury’s Brand Match, a price promise that has fueled sales outperformance, according to a report by Bloomberg.

The Brand Match program ensures shoppers don’t pay more for branded goods such as Coca- Cola at Sainsbury than at competitors by checking more than 14,000 items, including offers and promotions at the point-of-sale. Customers are given a coupon if an item is priced cheaper at a rival.

Bloomfield Hills, Mich. -- Taubman Centers said Thursday that it will begin construction this summer on its 640,000-sq.-ft. Mall of San Juan, in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Formerly known as Plaza Internacional, The Mall of San Juan will be a state-of-the-art, two-level, enclosed mall anchored by a 138,000-sq.-ft. Nordstrom and a 100,000-sq.-ft. Saks Fifth Avenue. It will be the first upscale mall on the island and the first and only location in Puerto Rico for both Nordstrom and Saks. 

BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- First quarter profits at Walmart exceeded analysts’ estimates as same-store sales increased 2.6% and the company said it strategy of low prices on a broad merchandise assortment is resonating again with shoppers.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Holdings Corp. reported Thursday that it generated a profit of $189 million for the quarter ended April 28, after losing $170 million in the same period last year. The improvement was due largely to a $233-million gain from selling off some of its stores.

Everett, Wash. -- Action sports retailer Zumiez Inc. reported Thursday that profit surged 140% to $4.5 million for the quarter ended April 28, compared with $1.9 million for the year-ago period.

Revenue rose 22.7% to $129.9 million from $105.9 million, and same-store sales climbed 12.9%.

The company said it plans to open 50 stores in fiscal 2012, including up to 10 locations in Canada.