International Business

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores announced Friday that its U.K.-based Asda unit has promoted Judity McKenna to the position of COO.

McKenna is currently Asda’s finance director.

Walmart could be put at a competitive disadvantage in Brazil if a bizarre merger between the company’s two larger rivals proceeds and secures regulatory approval.

The nation’s two largest retailers, Pao de Acucar and France-based Carrefour are attempting to merge their operations in a convoluted deal that has drawn the ire of fellow French retailer Casino, which owns a large stake in Pao de Acucar. 

SAN FRANCISCO — Gap Inc. announced that it plans to open its first Gap store in Egypt this July and its first Gap and Banana Republic stores in Morocco this October. These store openings will mark the company’s first entry into Africa.

As part of an existing franchise agreement with The Fawaz Al Hokair Group, Gap will open its first Egyptian store in the Mall of Arabia in the capital city of Cairo. Two additional Gap stores will open at Cairo’s City Stars Mall and Sun City Mall this October.

San Francisco -- Gap announced Wednesday that it will open its first Gap store in Egypt this July, and its first Gap and Banana Republic stores in Morocco in October.

The move is part of the retailer’s global expansion strategy that calls for doubling its franchise stores to 400 by fiscal year 2014.

Gap started shipping to Egypt, Morocco and South Africa in 2010, but these stores are the first on the continent.

NORTHFIELD, Ill. — Kraft Foods announced that Daniel Myers will join the company in September as EVP supply chain.  Myers will lead the functional groups that make up the company's integrated supply chain, including procurement, manufacturing, engineering and customer service and logistics.  He succeeds David Brearton, who is now EVP and CFO.  Myers will report to chairman and CEO Irene Rosenfeld and be a member of the company's executive team.

Costa Mesa, Calif. -- Donahue Schriber announced Wednesday the promotion of three executives to senior VP status.

In their new roles, Henry Avila, senior VP asset management, Heather Beal, senior VP leasing, and Scott Lawrence, senior VP construction, will work closely with Donahue Schriber’s executive committee on future decisions affecting the company.

AMSTERDAM — Ahold has tapped retail veteran James McCann to serve in the newly created role of chief commercial development officer.

New York City -- Wal-Mart Stores spent $2.42 million on lobbying in the first quarter on issues ranging from organized crime to food safety, as well as nutritional labeling, according to a recent disclosure report, the Associated Press said.