International Business

The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), managed by The Consumer Goods Forum, announced that Yves Rey, corporate quality general manager Danone, has been appointed chairman elect to replace current chairman, Jürgen Matern, Metro AG, once he completes his mandate in February 2012. Yves Rey will become the sixth chairman of the Global Food Safety Initiative. 

New York City -- Wal-Mart Stores plans to expand its presence in the smaller cities of China, Ed Chan, CEO and president of the company’s China operations, said today at an investor meeting by video conference, Bloomberg reported.

The discounter may also buy more land to build stores in China, which it predicted will be the world’s largest grocery market by 2014, according to the report. Wal-Mart is building its seventh Sam’s Club outlet in the northeastern port city of Dalian, on the first plot of land it bought in the country.

Walmart’s past and future collided this week in a stark juxtaposition of events. While the company’s lawyers were engaged in oral arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court stemming from events in the past, senior executive of the international division were gathered with financial analysts in a hotel ballroom in Shenzhen, China to discuss the future.

New York City -- Hennes & Mauritz AB Thursday reported that its net profit in the first quarter fell 30% from a year earlier on “significantly higher” cotton prices, higher transportation costs and a stronger Swedish krona. The chain said profit in the quarter ended Feb. 28 fell to 2.62 billion Swedish kronor ($414 million).

Boulder, Col. -- Sunflowers Farmer Market plans to open its first location in California on May 11, in Roseville, which is in the northern half of the state.

Sunflower operates 33 stores in Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah and Texas.
 

With 329 stores in China producing $7.5 billion in sales annually, Walmart has experienced dramatic growth since it entered the market in 1996 with two stores. Last year, the company pursued its most aggressive expansion to date with the opening of 49 stores, and at a meeting for financial analysts earlier this week in Shenzhen, China, senior executives detailed plans to get a lot bigger.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. -- Staples announced that it has formed a new strategic alliance with one of the leading Swiss office products companies, Büro Schoch Direct AG. Within Switzerland, Staples and Büro Schoch Direct will work together exclusively on international accounts and collaborate to exchange best practices, the company reported.

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. -- SRS Real Estate Partners announced that Greg Roth has returned to the company, serving as senior VP and market leader in South Florida.

A veteran of Staubach Retail Services (now SRS), Roth also served as director of retail investments for Archon Group and, most recently, was managing principal of LDR Realty Partners.