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New York City -- The Jones Group has acquired Kurt Geiger, Europe's largest luxury shoe retailer from Graphite Capital, a leading United Kingdom mid-market private equity firm, for approximately $350 million in cash, inclusive of debt acquired.

The acquisition further extends Jones' reach into the designer footwear business through Kurt Geiger's portfolio of high-end brands and presence in leading department stores, such as Harrods and Selfridges.

Seattle -- Starbucks Corp. announced it has acquired full ownership of Starbucks stores in the China provinces of Guangdong, Hainan, Sichuan, Shaanxi and Hubei in an agreement with Maxim’s Caterers Ltd., the coffee company’s joint-venture partner. As a result, Starbucks said now has full control of more than half of the Starbucks retail stores in Mainland China as it looks to accelerate growth in the future.

Sales and profits continued to pile up at the nation’s largest dollar store operator during the first quarter as shoppers sought value at the retailer’s 9,500 stores.

The company reported a 5.4% increase in same-store sales and said total sales increased 10.9% to $3.45 billion during the quarter ended April 29. Profits adjusted to account for several one-time items increased 14% to $166 million, while earnings per share of 48 centers were two cents shy of analysts’ consensus estimate due to gross margins pressures.

New York City -- South Carolina legislators gave final approval Wednesday to a deal bringing Amazon.com and its promise of 2,000 jobs to the state, the Associated Press reported.

The House voted 90-14 to approve a compromise brokered last week in the Senate, sending the measure to Gov. Nikki Haley's desk.

NEW YORK — Barneys New York has announced that its e-commerce website, Barneys.com (www.Barneys.com), has introduced international shipping to 90 countries including Canada, South Korea, the United Kingdom, Australia, and China.

According to Barneys, international customers will be able to make payments on Barneys.com in their preferred currency with cost-effective international shipping and handling services.  

It may have taken longer than originally thought, but competition authorities in South Africa cleared the way for Walmart to move forward with its acquisition of Massmart, the company announced Tuesday.

New York City -- CVS Caremark Corp. won a $3 billion contract to provide pharmacy benefits to federal employees.

The contract has been handled by pharmacy benefits manager Medco Health Solutions since 2008. Medco disclosed on Friday that Blue Cross Blue Shield Association would not renew a contract that saw Medco handle mail order and specialty drug benefits for the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, which provides health insurance to federal government employees, retirees, and their families.

San Francisco -- Gap will enter the Italian outlet center market, opening a namesale store at the Vicolungo Outlet Center near Milan, on June 2.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — For the first time, Big Lots is expanding its retail operations outside of the United States with the announcement that it has agreed to purchase all of the outstanding stock of Liquidation World Inc., an Ontario based retailer which operates 92 closeout stores in Canada. 

Walmart has pledged $1 million in relief efforts to help the tornado victims in Joplin, Mo. It also is working to direct truckloads of water, food and other basic items to Joplin.

The company reported that its Joplin store number 59 was able to implement its severe weather safety plan and help save hundreds of lives. However, the Walmart store near Rangeline Road was significantly damaged, as the company reported the tornado went through the building causing some injuries and fatalities.