International Business

By Merrick Theobald, [email protected]

San Francisco -- Gap Monday today released its fifth Social and Environmental Responsibility report, a comprehensive update on its supply chain operations, environmental programs and community investment efforts from 2009 to 2010.

In the report, the company committed to reducing the absolute greenhouse gas emissions from its operations in the United States by 20% by 2015, when compared with 2008 levels. This follows an earlier 20%  decrease in greenhouse gas emissions from 2003 to 2008.

SHELTON, Conn. — Tomra of North America Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Tomra Systems ASA and leading global provider of advanced recycling solutions, today announced the appointment of Harald Henriksen as the new president and CEO of Tomra of North America. Henriksen, who joined Tomra ASA in 2004, previously served as SVP technology based in Norway.

Austin, Texas -- Golfsmith International announced it will open its first retail stores outside the United States, in South Korea, which it called the fastest growing golf market in the world.

Golfsmith is opening the store in partnership with Golfzon Co., one of the world-largest sellers of virtual golf simulation systems. Under the terms of the agreement, the new stores will be branded Golfsmith and operated by Golfzon.

New York City -- Barnes & Noble revealed late Thursday that media conglomerate Liberty Media has acquired a stake in the bookseller for $204 million.

The move, while celebrated by Barnes & Noble, is thought to be a disappointment for investors, who wanted the John C. Malone-controlled Liberty Media to buy Barnes & Noble outright. Liberty’s current investments include Starz Entertainment, home shopping channel QVC and the Atlanta Braves baseball team.

SAN FRANCISCO — Gap Inc. reported that net sales for the second quarter of fiscal year 2011, which ended July 30, increased 2% to $3.39 billion compared with $3.32 billion for the second quarter last year. The company’s second quarter comparable sales, which include associated comparable online sales, were down 2% compared with a 1% increase in the second quarter last year. For the second quarter of fiscal year 2011, online sales positively impacted comparable sales for Gap Inc. by 2 percentage points.

VERNON, Calif. — True Religion Apparel has announced that Lynne Koplin has been named president of the company effective immediately.

Koplin joined the company in January 2010 as COO. Prior to joining the company, and since July 2005, she was the president women’s division, of Tommy Bahama, a subsidiary of Oxford Industries, and before that worked for a number of apparel and retail companies.