International Business

NEW YORK - Macy's announced that it was found to be the number one department store retailer in the United States, according to a survey of international visitors by Mandala Research.

Yamaguchi City, Japan -- Fast Retailing Co. said Friday it aims to open at least 200 Uniqlo stores in the U.S. by 2020.

Asia’s largest clothing chain said it seeks to raise sales sixfold in a decade.

“The United States is one of the most important markets for us,” Shin Odake, CEO of Uniqlo’s U.S. unit, said in an interview with Bloomberg Television. “We want to become the number one retailer in the world.”

Hong Kong -- Li & Fung Ltd., the biggest supplier to Wal-Mart Stores said Friday that it may increase acquisitions in China as the country’s consumer spending grows, U.S. demand rebounds and inflation propels companies to seek partners.

Li & Fung president Bruce Rockowitz told Bloomberg that it may buy Chinese companies in the fashion, cosmetics and furniture industries in the next three years. He also said it will increase purchases in the United States, Europe and Japan.

Vancouver, British Columbia -- Yoga apparel retailer and manufacturer Lululemon athletica reported Thursday that net income for the quarter ended Oct. 31 rose to $25.7 million, compared with $14.1 million in the year-ago period.

Net revenue surged 56% to $175.8 million, from $112.9 million. Same-store sales increased 29%.

The company operates 134 stores in North America and Australia.

Issaquah, Wash. -- Costco Wholesale Corp.'s profit climbed 18% in its first fiscal quarter, buoyed by sales from its consolidated Mexican operations and improved sales and traffic at its U.S. stores. Net income rose to $312 million for the period ended Nov. 21, up from $266 million a year earlier.

The results topped analysts' average forecasts.

Revenue rose 11% to $19.24 billion from $17.3 billion, also beating Wall Street's expectation.

Seattle -- Callison has teamed with parent companies Abercrombie & Fitch and Urban Outfitters to internationally expand the Hollister Co./Gilly Hicks and Urban Outfitters/Anthropologie brands, respectively.

Abercrombie & Fitch has retained Callison as its architect of record to implement its expansion for Hollister in the United Kingdom and Germany. A total of five stores have opened under Callison’s direction with approximately 10 more locations planned.

New York City -- Two of Russia's largest grocery store chains, Pyaterochka and Kopeika, said on Monday that they would merge their operations in a move that would better position them to compete with Wal-Mart Stores, which is expected to enter the Russian market, according to the New York Times.