International Business

New York -- Manhattan-based ATCO Properties & Management said it has acquired a Whole Foods retail location in Mill Valley, Calif., for $17.3 million.

Situated within the Alto Shopping Center on Mill Valley’s North side, the 23,200-sq.-ft. store opened a year ago and has established itself as one of the chain’s best performers, according to ATCO senior VP Damon Hemmerdinger.

Houston -- Discount supermarket operator Aldi announced it is preparing to enter the Houston market with 30 new stores over the next three years. The expansion will begin in spring of 2013, with the opening of more than 10 new locations.

With this expanded Texas footprint, Aldi is expected to bring 400 jobs and an investment of over $100 million of capital expenditures to the local community. The first Aldi stores in Houston will open in the spring of 2013, with more than 10 new locations.

West Chester, Pa. -- QVC on Thursday announced the promotion of Steve Hofmann to CEO of QVC Europe, reporting to QVC president and CEO, Mike George. 

In the newly created position, Hofmann will oversee QVC's European markets, including the United Kingdom, Germany, and Italy, and accelerate growth opportunities throughout Europe. He maintains his current responsibility as CEO of QVC Italy and will continue to be based in Milan.

Wal-Mart Stores fell to the number two spot on the Fortune 500 list after holding the number one spot for two years. It was ousted by Exxon Mobil, which benefitted from rising oil prices.To see the full list, click here.

Target’s annual shareholders’ meeting will be held June 9 in downtown Chicago at the location of a soon-to-open CityTarget store on State Street. The venue is an interesting choice that speaks volumes about the potential for the new urban format.

New York -- British lifestyle brand Superdry USA on May 9 debuted its largest North American retail destination to date, a two-story, 14,000-sq-ft. store in New York City's Times Square. It is the brand’s third Big Apple location.

Mooresville, N.C. -- Lowe’s Cos. said Tuesday it has realigned corporate personnel and responsibilities to focus the home improvement retailer more closely on customer experience strategies.

Lowe’s established a Customer Experience organization, led by chief customer officer Gregory M. Bridgeford, charged with creating customer experiences that will best serve customers and differentiate Lowe’s from its competitors.

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Lowe's continues to implement its customer-focused strategy with the creation of new executive roles. The company has created a customer experience division that will be led by Gregory Bridgeford, chief customer officer, who is responsible for creating customer experiences that will best serve customers and differentiate Lowe’s from its competitors.

Reporting to Bridgeford are: