Strategy

New York City -- Starbucks Coffee Co. plans to expand in Latin America after concentrating in recent past years more on Asia, founder and CEO Howard Schultz said at a presentation in Madrid, Bloomberg reported.

The chain as about $2 billion in cash to invest in an “aggressive and opportunistic way,” Schultz said, and is especially interested in Brazil, according to the report.

Widespread reports surrounding the launch of the Missoni for Target brand last week had surging demand causing the company’s website to crash and stores disappointing customers because they prematurely ran out of merchandise. The unexpected run on Missoni even prompted the company to take the unusual step of issuing a public statement.

Sidney, Neb. -- Cabela’s announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, World’s Foremost Bank, has entered into a $411.7 million commitment with Royal Bank of Canada under an outstanding series of variable funding notes issued by Cabela’s Credit Card Master Note Trust. The commitment is for three years and accrues interest at a variable rate of commercial paper plus a spread.

The beautiful people were out in force Saturday night in Southern California to party and support the fundraising efforts of the Motion Picture and Television Fund. The organization hosts an annual “Evening Before” event that precedes the Emmy Awards, which were held Sunday night and is modeled after the “Night Before” fundraiser, which precedes the Academy Awards.

New York City -- Union leaders on Monday said they reached a tentative agreement with The Vons Cos. Ralphs Grocery Co.; and Albertsons, to head off the threat of a strike in Southern California by more than 60,000 workers, the Associated Press reported.

The union said the agreement, which still must be approved by the rank and file, would protect workers' health policies.

New York City -- Best Buy Co. is reviewing its 11 stores in the United Kingdom, according to the Sunday Express.

The chain operates the stores in a joint venture with Carphone Warehouse Group Plc. Best Buy is in talks with its shareholders about all possible options for its British stores, the newspaper said.
 

NEW YORK, and KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Duane Reade has added Smith Electric Vehicles' Newton zero-emission, all-electric commercial trucks to its delivery fleet.

With the addition of these medium-duty trucks, Duane Reade is the first retail pharmacy in the United States to choose fleet electrification through a pilot program with Smith Electric Vehicles, a global leader in zero-emission, all-electric commercial vehicles.

Matthews, N.C. -- Family Dollar Stores has named Trey Johnson to the newly created position of senior VP – food.

Johnson comes to Family Dollar from Sears Holdings where he created a limited assortment food concept for K-Mart. He also led the development of Wal-Mart’s Marketside format as its chief merchandising officer.